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Sciences 
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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  UStO 

(716)  875-4503 


■I 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  ini 


^ 


^ite 


CIHM/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


icroreproductions  /  Inttitut  canadien  da  microraproductions  historiquaa 


technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


p'TTI    Coloured  covers/ 
l/M    Couverture  de  couleur 

I 1    Covers  damaged/ 


D 
D 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul^e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


D 
D 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gdographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


~]    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
?lanches  et/ou  illustrations  en  cov^ileur 


□ 


D 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 


D 


D 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsquo  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6X6  film6es. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires; 


1^ 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 
Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessc 

10X  14X  18X  2 


12X 


16X 


20X 


^graphic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


f%B  best 

jres  of  this 

lique. 

he 

ly  change 

9d  below. 


/ 
jl6e 


or  blacl()/ 
leue  ou  noire) 

ns/ 
wtieur 


s  or  distortion 

'ombre  ou  de  la 
6rieure 

ation  may 

r  possible,  these 

anches  ajout6es 
ant  dans  le  texte, 
ces  pages  n'ont 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6X6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  conleur 


-y7\    Pages  damaged/ 
Atl    Pages  endommag6es 


I — I    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
I — I    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


D 


Pages  restaur^es  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe( 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 

Showthrough> 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in6gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  matdriel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  ddition  disponible 


I      I  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

I — I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I — I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6X6  filmdes  6  nouveau  de  fapon  6 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


tio  checked  below/ 
uction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

1 

9nv 

24X 

2SX 

32X 

IHB 


The  copv  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thank* 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  concition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  Ail 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

4 

5 

luced  thank* 


ice 


L'axeritpiairs  fiJmA  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnArositA  dw: 

Library  of  Congress 
Phgtpduplication  Service 


St  quality 
d  legibility 
ith  the 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  At6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
da  la  nettett  da  rnxemplaira  filmA,  at  an 
conformity  avec  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


s  are  filmed 
iding  on 
tad  Impras- 
iate.  All 
ning  on  the 
impres- 
h  a  printed 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  souverture  en 
papier  est  imprimAe  sont  film^s  en  commandant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  fiimis  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


ofiche 
ig  "CON- 
"END"). 


Un  das  symbolas  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  da  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 


ned  at 
arge  to  be 
filmed 
ar,  left  to 
nes  as 
trate  the 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtra 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
da  I'angie  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  da  haut  an  bas,  an  pranant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  dijgrcmmes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6tho&e. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

-TV^v 


:^ 


iL 


umm 


son 


':i 


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ll|00  y)«rd8  l^Mm*  Ckvlb  tn  seMf  colored  BtyiiM-n,  all 
w«nN1,  04  iiicii«tt  wia«,  M>  9ft  eont»  j^er  yawl ;  wortfe  *l  i 

iSffl^  yards  Cheviot  Chedlu,  Jnr  tatior-tnade  snilts, 
ne«r  d«s%nii«  «4  l»    les  wide,  #t.CK>  per  ya*d. 

t7»e  yards  Plait*  .Hidtlnf;,  all  wool,  44  lacheH  wi« 
f«       *^  per  yard ;  former  price  $1.00. 

Aii  of  the  above  are  soltable  for  8prin«r  and  Somnter^ 
W«»iP,  *h©y  are  r«anarkal>le  valae,  and  alronld   intc 
eve»y  pturcli»ser  of  wool  I>ress  Oood«. 


OI^TVl^RQ  DV  MAT!   A'(>*n«nypnt;crf'Ut«ot    jitrywrnrcciii^ 
l\l^£if\0  Ol   lUiilij  OMirftel  ana  piv>mi>t  Attcution. 

JA1NKS  WeOilCillY  A  CO., 

Broadway  and   Hth  Street,  New  York, 


/  :..v:::.:::PK,lCfiv  FIVE   CBaf^^s^-^^ 


i:U'f^Tyr ym  teaowa  thw,  no  brighter  fns  finds  ite  way  Into  psint  than  tliAt  wiii< 

is  te'Vo  «!«»  to  all  aewapapara,  credited  to  TiB-Brra. 
"BvfKfy  oTi^b  (wiib  one  ex<!«ption)  known  th»t  Tib-Bctb  is  equal  to  tlie  heRii 

KU^Bse  satnjtesof  itsatf ;  and  th^  {t  is  d«nrer,  Mght,  and  wholiMont^^j 

l»iniimcly  hamfe'iMtg  faom  bcgianlng  to  eatflL.-; 
If  tW  Umiae  >>e  that  exception  he  will  do  hinuielf  «  favor  if  ho  iwvoBfe  fl*  , 

*i^  ia  a  copy  c^  the  Paper,  any  week ;  or  if  ho  invcisfc  unc  <Kiit  !n  a 

poBted^tol,  oa  reoeipt  of  which  t^  pabUaheiH  will  mail  a  sample  tvTpy. 

With,  its  fcandwvijte  typogmphy, 

and  ilTcIy  w- 


m4m  mmmm  ea„ 


14  Y4SHJ  Stmt,  "'Til 


€0^ 

(1;  w^rtk  «1.3 
remade  8Uii»» 

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>MH>t  »tte3i»ion. 

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Mew  York. 


JPaper. 


>  piint  than  that  ^ 

i. 

is  equal  t'>  tlM> ' 

rhfc,  and  wholesot 

favor  if  ho  iuvfflrt^ftvl 
invest  tmo  <»Bt  * 
mail  ft  H!vnii»!e  «v 


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-tj^mk 

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MANUFACTURERS  OP 

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that  it  ib  the  only  Piano  in  the  wnrM 
whidi  has  an  iron  key  fnuue  snppuri 

{hat  it  is  the  only  Piano  in  Ihe  tn^Id 
with  a  patent  harp-<9(op  attachment./ 

that  it  is  the  only  fiist-class  Piano 
sold  at  an  honest  prio& 

that  for  purity  of  tone  and  phonome&o 
al  durability  it  cannot  be  exoelled. 

that  it  is  the  onfy  Piano  which  im- 
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76  Sth  A««.i  IMW  York. 


EXTRftei 

CAC  tlON.— 8«!e  (h»< 
t3»«  WordB  "PONMS 
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Mown  In  eacb  botUc, 
Sw«lo«ea  in  a  baflP^«l- 
orcd  irrapper,  banr- 
Ins  o«p  Iaud«cnpo 
trad«-mHr  k— none 
other  la  ffennln«« 
atM  everywhere. 

Prioe>  SOc.i  01«  Sl«75. 
POSIO'S  BXTRAOT  CO., 

70  Mh  Ave.,  New  York. 


GOOD  SEHSE 

CORDED  SPaII?; 

BeaatifnUy  made  of  BEST 
MATERIALS  throughout 
THOUSANDS  NOW  IN  USE. 

er-Be  sore  yonr  Coraet  la  8t«mp«a 
"Oood  8ens«." 
ITT  Ali  AGES-Tafaate  to  Adoltt. 
««/rf  tj  UADINe  RETAILEHS  emrywhtrg, 

^MP  FOB  OlKODiaS. 

fimB  BS08,  iiAiWMTBittB»^ 

34 1  Broadway,  New  York.  I  iN 

XABSHAIX  FIELD  &  CO.,  CHICAGO,  WMm\s  W«»l«ro  Htm 


"S*A*^i«-AVitr"..yw. 


mmmemmsmsmf^^d 


LovELL's  Household  Library, 


Thlt  »rimlrafale  series  of  Popular  Books  it  priated  on  beaviet  and  lu^r 
paper  thw  otiwr  ctMi^  Mci«a,  and  ia  iab»tui(iaUy  bound  ia  an  Mtnobve 

eovM> 

The  following  have  been  iuned  io  date.    The  beat  worka  of  new  fiotloo 
will  be  add^  as  rapidly  ai  they  appear. 


1  A  Wi(dc«a  Girt,  by  H.  0.  Hay .86 

S  l^eMocnuiwone,  byCoUina 25 

S  Moths,  by  Oidda. M 

4  Sewage  Case  of  Dr.  Jekyll,  by  B.  h. 

Stevenson :  and  FauBt  S8 

5  P^c's  Bad  Boy  and  tus  Fa,  by  Geo. 

«  Ame  Byre,  bj  Charlotte  ih^t«  ...  .86 
T  Peok^anghlner  by  Geo.  W.  Peck.  .M 
8  Adam  Bade,  by  George  Baiot  . . .  .  .ss 
•  BIU  Vs*  ud   Boomerang,  by  BUI 

HmHtaieell 8» 

le  WbatWffl  the  World  Say  ?... 85 

U  Ume  Ktin  Clab,  by  M.  Quad 88 

!•  She,  by  H.  Blder  Haggard £6 

U  Dora  fhome,  by  B.  M.  Clay 85 

M  WleKi>.M8,by  JE.  Qaboriao 85 

UPhTUiB,  by  The  Ducheae 86 

U  lAdyVaiwarUi'D  DiamondK,  end  The 

tbmnted  Chamber,  by  The  Duchesa.Sfi 
IT  A  House  »«y,  Mul  A  Rainy  June. 

byOalda. S3 

»  Srtlta  Diamonds,  by  B.  M.  Oay 88 

»  H«  Mother's  Stn.  by  B.  M.  Clay. . .  .88 
M  Other  Peopled  Money,  by  Gabonan.8S 
M  AIrr  Falrr  lilian.  by  The  Doob«s8..8S 
88  In  Pert!  nt  Hm  LUe,  by  GaborlM....86 
93  Tbe  Old  Mam'seUe's  georer,  by  B.  A. 

MarMtt .\...^....^...86 

M  The  Oullur  River  and  The  New  Mag- 

daioiu  bv  Wittle  Collins. 86 

«S  JohnRtiUMc  byMlssMulook 86 

M  Marjwle,  byB.  M.  Clay  .    .........85 

tr  lAdyAndl^s  8ecre..!>y  Draddon.  «5 
m  Pew's  Fob,  :»y  George  W.  Pec*. .  ...86 

n  Tboma  and  Otutge  Blu  laouu,  by  B. 

It  caajr. ...  85 

MBastl^mns.  t^ Mrs.  Wood 86 

SI  KtnKS<dfim>on<b  Mines,  by  HaraArd..!is 
I  Thewtteh's  Bead,  by  Haggard 85 

»  tlM  MaMesr  Fasidon.  by  Ibrryat. . .  .85 

•4  JteMkbyB.  Ulder  Haggard 86 

teliEdynawi:,  by IHeDttctiefis. 86 

H  Pltr  Women,  by  Mrs.  Porrestw. . .  .$5 

m  lie  Merry  Men,  by  Stevenson 95 

m  (m  Myddleton'B  Money,  by  Hay. . . .86 

M  Mrs.  Geoffiey,  by  The  Bnohess 85 

40  Hyuatia,  by  Be?.  Charles  KlngBiey..86 

a  miSlronld  you  Do  love  i 95 

49  Kit  Perkins.  Wit,  Humor,  and  Pathoe.a5 
46  Heart  and  Bolenoe.  by  ColUna 86 

44  Baled  Hay,  by  BiU  Nye 88 

45  Harry  lx>rrequer,  by  Lever ......... .85 

40  Called  Back  and  Dark  Xteys,  by  Hugh 

Conway  88 

4T  Endymlon.  by  BenJanUn  DteraeU.. .  ,95 
48  CUttlbel's  Ijove  Story,  by  B.M  ClBy.»5 

m  mra  lian,  tg  am  Nye 86 

SBDawii,  byH.B«erH9«»Md » 

01  Shadow  of  aSln.  and  Wedded  and 

PMted,  by  B.  M.  Claj- 98 


B9  WeeWUe,  by  IBoaa  N.  Carey 98 

IS  The  Dead  Beurt^  byColUua 86 

54  Cottdt  oflHoute  Cristo,  hs  i)ajata..M 

SB  ^ue  Wandering  Jew,  by  Sue 69 

5«  The  Mysterka  of  Paris,  by  Bae 88 

ST  Mlddlsnukrch.  by  George  Bitot.. ...80 
S8  Sootttsh  CiUefi^  by  Jane  Porta',....30 

69  tlDd«-  Two  Plage,  by  Oaida. so 

«0  David  Coppei«eid,  by  Diekens so 

51  Monslenr  Le«o<i,  by  OBbortan......a9 

C8  Bpi^haven,  by  B.  D.  Bhtekmore.. .95 
«  BpM^eaof  Henry^wdBeeob^OB 

the  War ■• 

44  A  Tramp  Aotor M 

35  90,000  lieagnea  Vnext  the  Bea.  b7 

Jnles  Verne 95 

6«  Tour  of  the  World  In  80  Days,  by 

Jaiee  Veme , ...  88 

«T  TheGoldcu  Uope,  byBuasell .85 

48  OUver  TwlBt,  by  Dickens .85 

e»  LovcU's  Whim,  by  Shlriey  BmtUi....S5 
TO  Allan  Quatennaln,  by  liotrKMt!.  .85 
Ti  The  Great  Hesner,  by  Prank  Barrect.85 
Ta  As  in  a  LooUUg  Glass,  by  F.  C. 

iliUtpa 96 

T8  "nito  Man's  Wife,  by  G.  M.  Fenn. . .  .88 

T4  Babina  Zemhra,  by  Wm.  Black 85 

T5  nie  Bag  of  Diamonds,  by  Q.  M.  FenB.85 

ra  «10.080,  by  T.  E.  WUlson 95 

tr  Bed  Spider,  by  B.  Bartiu^Goald  . .  .85 
T8  On  the  Scent,   by  Uaij  Marg*r«t 

Majendle 85 

T»  Beforotond,  by  T.  t.  Meade 88 

se  Tiie  Dean  and  hia  Daughter,  by  the 

author  of  "  A*  to  atooklng  Giass.''85 
81  A  ModernOrce,  byTheOa^bess..,.88 
69  Bohehemsade,  by  F^«ooe  Wardea.8S 
m  "Tne  Duohcss,"  by  The  Daeheas....85 
84  Peck's    Irish    Friend,    Pheian 

Geogehan,  by  Geo.  W.  Pe«*. 88 

88  Hw  Desperate  Victory,  by  Bayne. .  .86 
84  BlJwage  Advxmtures  oi  Luoy  Bmtth, 

by  F.C.  PliUlpH 95 

8T  Jessie,  by  author  of  "  Addie's  Hus- 
band"  85 

Si  Memorlee  of  Men  who  Saved  the 
Union,  by  Donn  Piatt ...85 

89  Dtok'sWaoderiBft  bj  Stnrgls. 85 

80  CoQfesaions  of  a  Soeietar  Man .85 

»1  Lady  Qraoe,  by  Mr».  Henry  Wood, 

anthor  of  "  East  Lynne  " 88 

98  The  Frown  Pirate,  by  KneseU 85 

SB  Ja«*  and  Three  Jllto,  by  PhUIps. . .  ss 
94  A  Tale  of  Oliree  Uoas.  by  Haggard.86 
»6  From  the  Ofher  Side,  by  NoMey.  .  8S 
94  Saddle  and  Sabre,  by  Bawlcy  Smart .  SS 
tr  Treasure  MoBd.  by  B.  t.  Steven-^^ 

Ban...- .85 

W  One  TroveUer  KetnrM,  by  D.  C. 
Morray i-"*r 

99  Mona's  Choice,  by  Mrs.  Atexac<ter,  .98 


JOH0  W.  LOVELL  CO.,  14  &  16  Km*/  Sirtnti,  How  York. 


.IBRARY, 


beftvlet  and  huffet 
aiiia  an  »ttr»obTe 

wrka  of  new  fi«(wo 


ioM  K.Carey M 

;  byOoUlAS. ts 

Crato,  b}  UamM...l>0 

Jew,  bfSae M 

r  Parts,  hySae ao 

r  George  Bitot. .....80 

b;  Jane  Poita'.....ao 

»,  b,TOalda W 

Id,  bj  Dickens «0 

,  by  Oabortau ..80 

Ii.I).BUiokniQre...M 
ryWardBeeobwoB 

M 

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ImOVEELUB  i^bbamt. 


COMPLETE  CATALOGUE  BY  AUTHORS. 

tiOT«u>'i  IdMUBX  BOW  oontniiw  Ow  oomideta  writiDSi  of  HMMt  at  tba  b«Rt  ttaa/int 
•Bthoa,  muM  aa  Dtokaoa,  Thadmay,  MM,  Oarlyls,  Btukin,  Beott,  Iiytton,  Blaidt,  at«k, 
eto. 

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paper  better,  than  iaanr  aMwt  obaap  tUm  poMbditd. 

jromr  w.  imvmlsm  voaiPAinr. 

p.  O.  B«K  isn.  M  KaHl  lA  V«a«y  IMrMt,  Hew  Yoi*t. 


Hvtm,  — Whrre  no  nnmben  are  Rtren  the  rolamen  are  pnUttihed  in  "  Unnro'*  Ubiai;  " 
only,  Uu  pablloation  of  which  wrlea  la  oisotinaed  by  the  pnbllaben  ol "  I.oveU'«  Ubnu^." 


BT  AiriHOB  OF  "  ADDIE*8  HOT- 
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BT  OVSTAVX  Am&BD 

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G87  The  Trail-HuDta* 

678  Pearlof  the  Andea..  

1011  Pirate*  of  the  Prairies.... 

1091  ThaTrapp«r'«  Daoffhter 

loss  TSieTlg«r  Sliijfr , 

1045  Trappera  of  Aikauaaa , 

1069  Border  Rlfiwi JO 

loss  The  Freebooiera 10 

1069  The  White  Scalper. ,..10 

1<J71  Unide  el  the  DeMTt .....10 

1075  The lomigent Obiet .....10 

1079  TheVMiig  HorMmau..... ..11 

am  LMtaftiieAneaa ...10 

2088  UlMOiui  Outlaw* 10 

lOfS  PrafriePlowB: 10 

lOflS  Indian Soont. ......; 10 

1101  Stronghand   ., ......10 

1108  BeeBdneem 10 

1107  atoneheart 10 

1113  Qneen  of  the  Savanodi 10 

UiS  The  Bnocanew  Ohtrf ..10 

1118  The  Smnggler  Hero 10 

11?1  TheBebaCUtef 10 

1187  TheOold  BeOen 10 

11«  Indian  Chief 10 

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1145  The  Treasure  of  Pearl* !0 

1160  Bod  River  Half  Breed 10 

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777  ABaeoDdUfe 90 

799  Haid,  Wife,  orWtdw 10 

840  By  Woman'ii  Wit SO 

906  Whtoh  Shall  ItBeT ....,,90 

1044  Fortring  the  Fetten ,...10 

1106  Mona'*  Ohoioa 90 

1148  A  Ufa  Intanat 90 

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«S5  Cnuluok  Nowell,  Part  1 90 

956  Oradock  Nowell,  Part  II 90 

9B1  Springhaven SO 

1084  Mary  Anerley 90 

loas  Alice  Lorraine 90 

1036  Orlstowell ..90 

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1038  Cripps  the  Currier 90 

1089  Iloinarkable    History    of  Sir  Iboe. 

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1034  Comet  ,  np  a«  a  Flower ..90 

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788  AGoIdenDawn IQ 

789  Like  no  Other  LoTe W 

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769  Set  In  DlamoBde 90 

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801  Romance  of  a  Blaek  Veil HJ 

803  Lo.a'8  Warfare 10 

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806  From  Out  the  Oloom ;^..90 

807  Which  I«Ted  Him  Beat 10 

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808  The  Hoof  a  Lifetime 96 

810  Prince  Oharlie'a  QoBghter. 10 

811  A  Ckildan  Heart M 

819  Wife  in  Name  Only 90 

816  A  Woman's  Brror SO 

806  Uarjorie 90 

099  AWilfal  Maid ...90 

«n  Lady  Oaatlamaice'i  Diroraa 90 

9»  Claribel'a  Lcve  Story ..90 

838  Thrown  on  the  World 90 

998  Under  a  Shadow 90 

9K  A  JJtrugKle  for  a  Elng 90 

9(9  Hllaty'a  Foliy 90 

886  AHauntedLife 90 

S64  A  Woman'*  Lore  Story 90 

808  AWoman'sWar SO 

984  'Twixt  Smile  and  Tear. 90 

966  Lady  Dl-tna'a  Pride 96 

886  Bene  of  Lynn 90 

988  Uarjorie'*  Fate .  .90 

888  Sweat  Oymbdine 90 

1007  Badearaed  by  Lova 90 

1019  The  Squire*  Darling 10 

1013  The  Ityetory  of  ColJe  FeU 90 

1<MC  On  Hi»  Wedding  Mom 10 

1081  The  Shattered  Idid 10 

1013  r.otty  Irflgh 10 

1041  Th.T  Mvetory  of  the  HoUy  Tree 10 

1042  ThiiBarrn  Error 10 

10-iil  Arnold's  l>romiBe 10 

1061  An  Dniiatural  Bondage 10 

1064  The  Dnke's  Secret 90 

Diana'*  DUolpUne 90 

Golden  date ...90 

Hie  Wife'*  Judgment 90 

AGnldingStar .90 

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481    UfeotSpenser 

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TS  Cliil<i'<Hiatory<rf  Bngland. W 

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140  Th6  OrMft  on  the  Hearth 10 

144  Oia  Onriodtj  Shop,  8  Part*,  tmatx..  .15 

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IM  ar«at  Bxpectationt... W 

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SIO  Dombw  >ad  Son,  3  PartK,  each M 

S&i  hUtie  Donrit,  S  Parts,  e«oh. *) 

Sas  Our  Motnal  rrienit,  »  Pnrta,  each. . .  U 

m  Kichalaa NtcUebjr,  3 Farta, Mch. ...X 

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WT  TheBoyatMuKby 10 

844  Bleak  IToaie.  3  Part^  eaoh *P 

846  Bketchei  ot  the  Youih;  ConpSac. . . .10 

801  Ma»t«r  Humphrey's  (Hock 10 

867  The  Hauntxi  Bouae,  ato 10 

XiO  The  Mudfbv  Fapen,  ato ..10 

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974  A  Chrlst^maii  Carol,  etc. IS 

8BS  Uiiconiraeroial  Trr.teller. 80 

n6  Bomebodv'a  I.^iKri*ge,  tto. 10 

893  Ths!  Hottle  of  Liff .  etc 10 

Wt  Mystery  of  Kdwln  Drood 90 

398  aeprinteil  Haaaa   90 

808  No  Thonraghfaro 15 

tei  Tnlea  ol  Two  Idle  Appnntloea. 10 

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I^thair .,80 

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MiriamAlroy 90 

Hon  riettn  Tempi* 30 

Conlngaby 90 

8yk>a ;  or.  The  Two  MsHoaa SO 

Venrtia ..90 

Sndymlon 90 

Coobii'lna  Fleming.....^ 90 

Vivian  Gray,  Part  I. 90 

Vivian  Grey,  Part  11 90 

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InOnoTown... 90 

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lOHO  The  Bine  VeU ;   or,  Tiu  Orlnw  of 

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1190  The  HatapanAffiiUr 90 

1146  Th«  Detective's Kye 10 

1148  The  ReA  Lottery  Tiqkat 10 

IIBO  Tho  Bfivered  Hand ..,.90 

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1179  BenttB's  Se<vet 90 

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189  Koonshbie  and  Uaigosritria 10 

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1066  A  Modem  Oirce 90 

107a  Ihe  Dnohesa ,.90 

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891  Countess  of  Monte  Cristo,  Fart  I. .  .90 

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Defoe,  by  William  MInto. 10 

Qibbon,  by  J.  O.  Uorriaon 10 

Qoldemllh,  by  William  Blaek IC 

Himie,  by  FrofeaHur  Hnxley,.    ,,...10 

Jobnaon,  by  Lexlie  Stephen 10 

Looke,  by  Thomaa  Fowler 10 

M ilton^  by  U»rk  Pkttleoa 10 

Pope,  by  Lerito  Rtephom 10 

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Oounteas  Isabel  .,.,....10 

HowHaWonHer 90 

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880    Omnia Tanltea '....10 

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ABiSm,  A.  0tBB8'  WOXXB 

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The  Waif  of  the  Stonn 80 

The  Forced  Marriage SO 

A  Blighted  Life ....80 

A  Orttel  Wooaa 80 

Her  FRlher'»Sin .80 

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n^r*  and  PuaoM 80 

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BYMI88aE4BT 

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BYJAKnexAirr 

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AXHABXI.  OKAY'S  W0BZ8 

What  Love  will  Do 10 

Terribly  Tempted ,. 19 

ISt^XLYir  GBAY'S  W0BX8 

A  Voiiian'a  Fitult  10 

Aal'ate  Would  Have  It 80 

BY  WXSSX  0B3VILLS 

1001  Frankley 80 

BY  SBVBY  GXETILIJI 

WUdOata ....80 

BY  KBS.  OBEY 

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BY  OBOZL  OBUmiB 

Vhitory  Deane lO 

BY  AXTHVB  OBrniTBOl 

No.  80... tt 

THE  BBOTHESS  OBOOC 

Valry  Tatos  lUustratad. 10 

BY  lAVBEHOS  OBOXLimo 

loss  The  Uo-operativo  Communwealth.  .80 

BY&VniBVEEl 
UtUe  Jewell ft 

BY  iixuT.  7.  w.  emmisos 

440    Ulatory  oCthsI^OfimiiB 1$ 

BY  F.  W.  SACXLABIHIB 

Vorliidden  Fmlt 10 

BY  EKHST  HAXOXXI. 

India  and  Oejrloc 80 

BY  E.  BraS&  HAOOABO  _ 

018  King  Solomon'*  Mine* 89 

84B  She ...80 

870  The  WUkOi'*  Hwd ......80 

90O  Jem ,80 

941  Dawn , SO 

lose  AUad  Qtuttermain. 80 

1100  Tale  of  Three  Lions... ,10 

SY  A.  EaXOVT  KAXI 

The  story  (rf  OhlDMe  Oordon 10 

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KhU  ■ot—w'iTr— nim 90 

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ALeMmr 90 

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A  Buiin«a  Botrothcl 90 

Uii  Bnittwr't  Widow HO 

Jl  Wifo'»  Crime 90 

The  YoiiiiK  Bobool-Teiuilur 90 

A  arakt  Dlvoroe  Cue 90 

A  C'ariuun  DlMipiicMrf>r  .  ,., 90 

The  DivorofNl  wife 90 

Blind  KtoM*!  CriiM 90 

Wrontwl 90 

m  OXOBOX  BAUX 

Wneplng  Perry 90 

BT  THOMAS  HABST 

48    TwoonkTowar 90 

INT    RuniBntlo  Adrentnra*  of  •  MOk- 

m»ld 10 

749    Tho  Mayor  of  CMterbrtda* 90 

OM    The  Woodlnnd*!* 90 

V64    Far  from  the  Maddlns  Onnrd 90 

BT  KABIOV  BABLAKD 

lOT    HoaMkoeplng  and  HoinemitkiiV" 


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BT  JOSS  K^^USON  ABB  K. 

414    Ov«r  Uw  Bummer  8a« 90 

BT  3.  B.  HABWOOD 

900    (Am  FkbB,  both  FUr 90 

BTJOaElPVHATTCT 

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IW  OrtuALndab 90 

1117  The  Al  I .  V  Mnrder 90 

The  Oroat  World i..90 

BT  NATBAKIieL  EAWTHOBBB 

arO    Twice  ToW  TAlee 90 

97^    Qnndfather'«  Chair 90 

BT  XAXT  OEOIL  HAT 

-HWnnderthoWra .10 

MM  The  ArtmM  Votto 90 

600  OI£  KnMlaton'a  lIaiM7 90 

7W  AWlokedOlrt 10 

071  Nar<i>i  Ii0T»  Ta«t. .  ;»,.^.,.. 90 

W»  Tlio  Bqntre'd  Legacy 90 

OTS  Dorothy's  Vontare...,. ...,,.,....  90 

»74  My  First  Offer Ifl 

075  Back  to  the  Old  Haute 10 

07«  For  Her  Dear  8a5w 90 

877  Hidden  Perils 90 

1178  Victor  and  VaDqni«}iad........u,..90 

1099  Brc-nda  Torke „.. 10 

ST  JOB.  fXUOIA  BiltAVS 

im    Puemt 80 


BT  DAVID  J.  HILL,  LL.D. 
683    Prlnoiplat  aad  FaUaoiaa  of  ikwUi- 
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XB8.  oAiBxi.  Eoxrt  wvoun 

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AateraUhtaa 90 

BUU.  H.  0.  HOVFKAB'S  WOBX0 

A  TreaobarcMW  Woomui 90 

MmrrMI  iV  Out  Mayor, 

A  Harrwt  of  Thorn*  . , ; ,  V  ....*'....  W 

liBaghinc  Rym ...........99 

Married  at  Midnteht  ,..,t,.,f..-^ 

lioat  to  the  World 90 

lior*  ComiHcr*  f'rida  ,,,',,.,. 90 

A  MI«i»W"  Woman 90 

A  Slftxr'*  Vengoauoe  .„.„,,     ..    90 
Leah'H  Mluaka.......,,^..,.......  10 

A  Tom-Boy *,.......; iO 

Broken  Vuwa 90 

BT  XBS.  M.  A.  HOLKBt 

Woman  against  Woman , 
A  Wouian'o  VenKuunoe . . 

BT  FAXTOV  HOOD 
Ufa  of  Orom-vell IK 

BT  THOMAS  HOOD 

Poema 


709 
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BT  nOHB  HOPXniS 

Twlxt  Love  and  Duty 90 

BT  AKABITXA  M.  EOnmnOB 

Ufa's  Fitful  Ferer 90 

W0BK8  BT  TEZ  ADTHOB  OT 
"HIBWBDDXO'WilX" 

His  Wedded  Wife 90 

AOraatMWake 10 

A  Fktal  Dower 

Bartwra 

BT  HOBBT  AKD  WXXMS 

as    Ufe  of  Marion , 

BY  BOBBRT  HOtmiH 

The  Tricks  of  thu  Greeks 

BT  ADAH  M.  HOWABS 

Against  Her  Win.., ,.i 90 

TheOhlldWife 10 

A  WoriiAn'8  AtonMuats .....90 

Iren«  OrayV  T.egw)y... 90 

Sundered  Hearts ., 90 

DOnWy  Wronged ..... .W 

UneteNed'B  Cabin ^..'^..U.90 

A  Blighted  Home ,.....i^„,.iO 

A  Mnlher's  :tf{iiitak» 90 

A  Haunted  Life ......90 

A  Despemte  WoUaS ;« 90 

Little  Nana 90 

ByUotml  Consent........ ...90 

Little  Msdelino 90 

Uttle  Sunshino , 10 

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pH>a'aOwcdM... .....80 


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BT  TROXAII  HV&ESI 

61    TomBrown'iiSehool  Dua M 

180    Tom  Brown  at  Oxford,  0  P>irta,MMb.U 

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784      "  "  Panil SO 

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130    Tha  Bpoop«nd;kr  Papen M 

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Idfe   and    Vovafisa   of   Oobunbtia, 

Partn SO 

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Oai    KnkkorlKicker  Hlrtory  of  Waw  YorttOO 

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9B»   ThsAlbambra 16 

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178    Oouqueat  of  8'ialo. ..tO 

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SOO    Aatoria. M 

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806    Lireof  Mahom>>t,<nwtl,WCh  ....IS 

810  Oliver  GoMirnlth SO 

811  C>»iit»tn  BoTioevllla  90 

314    Muorls:.  Ohroniolca W 

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798  The  Uw^m  and  Boitoaa 90 

781  IraichtDnOonrt 90 

780  OaoKrar  Hamljrn  80 

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it»  Kound  the  World ^.........11 

885  n>«  Young  Poraatati ....90 

387  SaltWatar 9Q 

888  Tha  Uidabipniiui 90 

BT  F.  KIBjiT 

4M    TbeOoMan  Itoe(£«eA<md'or),...4S 

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400   ThaOhaaa 90 

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BT  CHABLS8  XAGKAT 

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8BB    Jnitii  Vfentworth    90 

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raoioc  th*  rooUlfhU 80 

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The  Poiaeo  of  Ani* 12 

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1049  Cherry  Ripe SO 

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1054  Goethe  and  BohlUnr 80 

1001  Qneett  HorteiuK SO 

BYMAXMtTLLEB 

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43B    Mi«8  Tommy 18 

781    King  Arthur .10 

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BY  DAVID  CHBISTIS  MVBBAY 

197  By  the  Gate  ol  the  Be» 18 

788  Cynic  Pnrtiin* 10 

1116  One  Traveller  BetamR SO 

The  Way  of  the  World 90 

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Val  Straoge . . . . 90 

Aunt  Bachel , 10 

BY  F.  MYBBS 

410    Ufa  a{  Wordmrorth JO 


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BY  nOXBHCE  VBELT 

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BY  KEY.  B.  H.  HEWTOff 

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BY  NAITHIX  P.  O'SOHOOHini 

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BT  ALICE  O'HAHLOK 

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>9.) 


CHAPTER  I. 


THt  CRIST  or  THE  CONTtNENfr 


Wb  stand  on  the  lofiiest  pe&k  of  tb«  Big  Wind  River  Mountains,  that  highest 
and  longest  chain  o!  the  Northern  Rocides,  a  chaos  of  granite  fifteen  thounand 
feet  towa-d»  the  finnament  from  the  sea. 

..  Around  'tis  the  lesser  pinnaciei  hold  up  heads  as  fantastic  in  shape  as  an 
Indian's  plumed  for  battle,  and,  below  a  Httle,  diamonds  of  ice  deck  the  snowy 
ermine  of  the  colossai  giant's  robe. 

Far  beneath,  the  mosses  are  grown  upon  \>j  sparse  grasses,  and  thejr  by 
scrub  cve^reens,  gradually  displaced  in  the  descent  to  the  warm  alcoved 
valleys  by  taller  and  taller  pines,  sprnce,  larch,  and  cedar.  But  the  ancient 
oceanwash  here  shows  lines  alone  of  the  constant  west  and  south-west  winds, 
which  never  bring  a  seed  or  grain  into  this  calm  frigidity. 

In  the  placid  afternoon,  the  beats  are  audible  of  the  wings  of  the  king  oi  the 
air,  t'mt  proud  eagle  which  Milton  chose  as  the  finest  emblem  of  the  American 
people  who,  in  their  vigorous  youth,  had  lit  their  eyes  in  the  unclouded  sun- 
beuus;  and  the  sonnf  of  the  Arctic  bluebird,  startled  by  the  unwonted  squeaking 
of  the  dry  ice  powder  intermixed  with  ground  fossils  and  granite,  as  horses 
in  the  uneven  line  of  a  new  and  breakneck  trail  cn-nch  antediluvian  shells  to 
atoms  as  they  follow  a  daring  man  up  the  heights  alo  g  chasms  of  ten  thousand 
fe«t,  from  toe  western  accUvity  to  the  actual  summit-divide,  not  two  yards 
wide, 

it  was  Novtm'fver,  a  time  when  the  almost  impossible  crossing  was  alone  in 
the  power  of  man,  since  in  the  thaws  of  summer  the  ravines  are  choke  full  of 
reaistle»  mzXtx,  And,  later,  the  snowstorms  are  overwhelming. 

The  guide  of  the  little  train  stood  on  the  monstrous  pedertal,  firm  and 
anblenching  i.3  a  statue,  and  contemplated  with  an  impasaoned  but  unflinching 
eye  the  sublime  spectacle  four  hundred  miles  in  diameter.  Like  the  jags  of  a 
n<Mldace,  the  peaks  of  the  sierra  protrtided,  and  like  gems  glittered  the  pure 
lakes  of  the  mountain  tops,  those  that  feed  to  both  hands  the  western  and 
ASBtem  t'\vM» ;  towards  the  Pole,  the  Athabasca's  Devil's  Punchbiiw!,  »n4  the 
Two-world  Pond  under  our  eyes,  into  which  the  salmon  trout  l«iip  from  the 
OrieDt,  oad  fta»h  down  into  the  Missouri  for  the  Mexican  Gulf! 


ntHM 


Titt  Red  Rivtr  Half- Breed. 


Like  steps  of  an  immense  staircase,  the  Plains  of  the  Missouri,  C'lejrenne,  and 
Laramie  extended,  monotonous,  drying  up  the  mountain  flow  in  insatiate  rocia 
and  sands,  and  heaving  up  stone  barriers  to  the  prairie  ocoiin.  Lilce  a  thin 
thread  of  water  gleams  the  rails  of  the  Pacific  Railroad,  twenty  thousand  miles 
of  metal  over  which  the  dolefully  hooting  steam  engine  capers  to  connect  the 
Iron  and  Coal  States  with  those  of  Gold  and  Com. 

But  the  presumptuous  pigmy  sooii  ceases  to  be  impressed  with  the  grandeur 
and  the  magnificence,  and  lets  an  admiring  glance  dwell  on  the  shiiung  face 
of  the  never-freezing  Lake  of  the  Vallowstone  Valley,  and  seems  to  ft^el  no 
such  au«as  an  Indian  wonld  have  at  viewing  the  inimitable  hues  and  fanciful 
wreaths  ot  smoke  which  overhung  the  mysterioos  Firehole  Basin — the  Geyser- 
land  of  the  scientific,  the  haunt  of  the  red  man's  demons  and  gods. 

"  Huh-la  y  he  cries  to  the  horses  and  mules,  and  up  they  come  in  his 
dauntless  footsteps,  and,  t'.ie  loads  telling  on  them  in  the  rarity  of  the  air, 
gladly  snicker  as  they  take  the  downward  path  at  last,  spite  of  the  peril. 

Sunset  impends,  and  the  adventurer  still  urges  the  train  til)  the  last  arrival 
appears,  goaded  by  a  second  pioneer,  who  seems  of  Indian  blood. 

The  two  men  silently  exchange  a  grasp  of  the  hand,  as  if  their  '-ask  were 
nes.riy  accomplished,  and  plunge  into  the  darkness,  commencing  to  ilimb  the 
steeps  as  they  commence  what  appears  a  mad  descent.  The  stony  spires  and 
domes  glow  like  oiange-shaded  lamps  at  a  Chinese  festival  along  the  chain  for 
hundreds  of  miles,  and,  after  on'?  moment  of  mezzotint,  so  scant  is  the  twilight 
here,  the  stars  of  the  Great  Bear  stand  out  sparkling  so  near  and  so  detached  >r> 
the  dark  blue  ether,  that  the  sound  of  the  auroral  Ughts  dancing  seems  th<! 
crackle  of  the  orbs'  own  axles. 

Surely  it  is  worth  while  to  follow  two  men  so  daring  as  to  surmount  the 
greatest  obstacle  of  Nature,  and  who  carry  themselves  ra  if  they,  and  not  that 
«rrixsly  bear  and  tagic,  were  monarchs  of  this  weird  dom  lin. 


;  5.5  as?!."-' ^i*'.^' 


CHAPTER    II, 


THB  FALSK  PILOT. 

To  the  aorth  <rf  the  trappers,  approaching,  but  out  of  their  r«ach  of  vision, « 
singular  train  was  skimming  over  the  snows.  From  a  distance  one  might  have 
supposed  it  a  flight  of  birds,  for  oo  four-footed  creatures  could  have  travelled  at 
that  surprising  pace. 

But  it  was  a  procession  of  earH«la,  or  dog-sledges,  preceded  b/  two  large 
ones.  These  were  impelled  by  the  wind  alone,  caught  in  sails,  which  would  he 
the  tent  dw/as  by  night,  fastened  to  masts  set  in  the  breadth  of  the  beam  like 
that  of  an  "  ice-yacht."  The  runners,  on  the  principle  of  a  mail-coach's,  shoes, 
were  formed  of  thin  wood  turned  up  in  front ;  their  width  prevented  the  sledges 
sinking  materialiy.  But  the  speed  was  what  saved  them  better  from  being  aub. 
»ne«|§™  '"  -i"?  twenty-five  feet  dead-le<'el  snow.  Moreover,  the  steersmen.  $o 
SieaiUjUnttt,  <rf  rJu  queer  craft,  were  both  fitted  for  their  posts.  The  second 
^■"        •  ^oremed,  thanks  to  the  iidroit  nDanipulatlon  of  a  tough  pole,  b^  own 


^•is^^mmmmij^ 


^yj¥  S^^iji^i^.    •_^f;:^V^ili';"i'S>'«*^^«ff(ff«i*-*,«V..l*fl" 


ea^n 


asm 


EHHtaa 


1 


ouri,  C'leyetins)  and 
In  insatiate  rocks 
:o<in.  Like  a.  thin 
enty  thousand  miles 
pen  to  connect  the 

with  the  ^«ncletir 
on  the  shillings  face 
td  seems  to  trei  no 
ie  hues  and  fanciful 
Basin — the  Geyscr- 
id  gods. 

they  come  in  his 
le  rarity  of  the  air, 
of  the  peril, 
n  till  the  last  arrival 
lood. 

IS  if  their  '•ask  were 
lencir.g  to  tiimb  the 
The  stony  spires  and 
along  the  chain  for 
scant  is  the  twilight 
r  and  so  detached  in 
»  dancing  seems  tiv» 

;  as  to  surmount  tlw 
if  they,  and  not  th« 


If  r«ach  of  v!s!o<i, «' 
tnceone  might  hav« 
(lid  hare  travelled  at 

ceded  b/  two  larj 
uls,  wiiich  would 
dth  of  the  beam  like 
I  mail-coach's,  shoes, 
)revented  the  sledges 
Jtter  from  being  aub- 
BT,  the  steersmen,  so 
'  posts.  The  secccd 
a  toufh  pole,  b^  oa* 


The  Fal ^  Pilot. 


of  those  Scotch-Americans  whe  are  the  ladtspnfable  rulers  of  the  North  West* 
At  the  cold  they  never  wince:   they  are  sobci,  prudent,  rather  silent  than  talk 
ative,  as  finn  as  a  "rock  in  defence,  and  as  trusty  as  a  iog. 

In  the  foremost  snow-ship  an  Indian  wits  pilot  and  helmsman  too.  Upon  him 
de^nded  the  lives  of  ail  in  those  two  vehiclsj.  Those  following  might  swerve 
off  from  any  danger  they  met  by  whipping  the  dogs  to  turn  quickly. 

This  savage  seemed  less  thickly  clad  than  the  white  men,  who,  however, 
crouched  down,  but  he  flinched  as  little  "from  the  cutting  blast  as  a  bronze 
statue.  Now  and  again  a  whirl  of  wind  caupht  up  the  ice  crystals  and  en- 
circled his  erect  figure  within  the  cruel  clouds.  The  next  moment  he  was  sewi 
again,  his  face  as  sternly  set,  his  eyes  as  rigidly  bent  ahead,  as  before  hit 
diMppearance. 

Th«!  sense  of  safety  he  inspired  and  the  glorious  thrill  which  the  rapidity  of 
the  course  provided  left  the  pas'      jers  in  a  placid  joy. 

The  dog-sledgeS  contained  the  >visions  necessary  in  these  uninhabited  wilds, 
with  the  hunters,  servants,  and  guards  of  the  party-leader.  The  second  snow- 
ship  Carrie''  the  more  valuable  property  and  the  "  new  hands,"  who  could  not  be 
trusted  r/i  the  semi-wild  dogs;  under  the  steersman,  it  was  commanded  by 
the  secret    y  of  the  chief. 

This  gentleman  was  in  the  foremost  conveyance  with  his  daughter  and  the 
most  "reliable "  men. 

He  was  an  ImporUnt  man,  as  this  escort,  nearly  tilirty  strong,  abundantly 
manifested. 

Sir  Archie  Maclan  was  a  retired  shipping  merchant,  enriched  by  the  Eastern 
tea  and  silk  trade.  He  was  chairman  of  a  land  purchase  company  that  con- 
templated founding  a  city  on  the  line  of  the  British  Pacific  Railway.  H<> 
never  invested  his  money  on  hearsay,  and  he  would  not  ask  his  tritnds  to  do  so 
either.  Hence,  having  volunteered  to  go  and  investigate,  at  his  own  expense, 
the  shareholders  had  voted  him  thanks  and  unanimously  approved. 

.  He  was  a  widower,  and  took  with  him  the  sole  object  of  his  affection  ia  his 
daughter. 

Miss  Ulla  Maclan  was  one  of  those  fair  Northern  beauties,  bom  typ«s  of 
"Norma,"  though  the  black-haired  and  swart-complexioned  Italians  do  their 
most  to  mar  our  proper  conception  of  that  ideal  of  the  drutde.ss.  At  the 
officers'  ball  a^  ^  sbec,  and  the  Mayor  and  Council  ball  in  Montreal,  »he  i>a4 
carried  away  the  palm'i  for  grace,  amiability  and  loveliness. 

Ofttimes  dreamy  and  somewhat- superstitiou?,  Ulla  had  insisted  upon  not 
being  left  behind  when  her  father  prepared  to  push  west  for  the  Red  River. 
As  she  was  indomitable,  he  compromised  as  usual  when  they  disputed.  He  put 
off  the  original  project  till  spring;  and,  in  the  meanwhile,  assented  to  her  wish 
to  see  something  of  the  marvels  which  were  currently  reported  of  the  Yellow- 
stone Basin.  By  the  greatest  good  luck,  an  Indian  was  at  Fort  Sailor  K<og 
who  had  com«  up  that  way.  The  officers  recommended  him.  In  a  few  days  he 
had  proven  himself  weather-wise,  brave,  devoted,  cautious  as  Sandy  Ferguson 
himself,  and  more  ingenious  than  nine  out  of  ten  of  his  race. 

Little  by  little  he  had  risen  in  esteem  till  no  one  was  hurt  by  his  having 
charge  of  the  {»tron  and  his  precious  daughter,  for  whom  ariy  man  would 
gladly  have  died.  If  there  were  one  exception  to  this  universal  homage  to 
talent  in  the  scorned  abori^ne,  it  was  the  Enplish  secretary  of  Sir  Archie,  and 
that  distrust  ser-med  to  be  caused  by  a  kind  «>f  jealousy  at  being  consignol  to 
tl«s  oth«r  sai!  ig-sledgff,  remiote  from  the  charming  gir!._  Bsft  Jbe.".,  h*d  he 
exhaled  ahy  plaint,  who  would  have  listened  to  him~ a  nw  Old  Country  oporia- 
tdkn,  Who  carried  his  rifle  sluii^  acrost)  bis  thottiders  wbeo  tM  went  gunning  ? 


HI 


mmm 


m 


The  Red  River  HalJ-Breed.- 


Tbere  was  one  drawback  to  the  full  enjoyment  of  the  Reet  co^irfu  thft  im- 
mensie  and  oppres^iive  silence.  All  the  deer  were  stripping  the  trees  of  bark  and 
moss  in  secret  coverts  ;  even  thft  Arctic  fox  kept  secluded  '  li'nd  the  tops  of 
tr<.-<.'s  buried  in  the  :ino<iv,  so  th^t  they  seemed  mere  topknot  jf  Indians.  The 
dogs  wore  no  bells ;  the  men  talked  in  whispers. 

Nevertheless,  the  complete  desert  offered  no  cause  for  alarm.  But  the  llHm- 
itablo  white  field,  the  iceclad  mountains  the  mighty  wind  thut  hurried  the  two 
pondeious  sledges  onward  as  if  they  were  feathers — these  struck  the  rudest  with 
awe  as  the  short  day  closed  in. 

As  darkness  tliieatened  the  men  brightened  in  their  chat.  Visions  of  hot 
tea  made  lips  water,  where,  alas  t  the  frost  seized  the  moijturr  :r— I:  "'iy. 

For  hours  the  uninterrupted  rush  had  been  matntaine<'..  Few  obstacles 
cropped  up  which  th«  Indian  had  not  avotd«d  with  dexterity  and  warned  hi* 
successor  of  by  a  :iharp  cry. 

The  wind  strengthened  with  the  dusk  A  faint  dark  bine  line  at  length  re- 
vealed the  limit  of  the  snowy  plateau.  It  was  so  swiftly  "lifted"  that  in  an 
hour  or  so  all  believed  they  would  bo  coinpiag  down  is  shelter  of  a  forest  which 
would  furnish  the  welcome  fire. 

The  Indian  himself  relaxed  his  muscles,  for  they  saw  him  faintly  smile  too. 

All  at  once  he  began  to  murmur,  and  then  to  utter  audibly  a  curious  monot- 
onous chant,  which  amused  AHss  Maclan.  Her  father  had  dozed  off  in  the  warm 
furs  that  muffled  them  botk.  / 

"Oh,  the  Chippeway  is  singing,"  she  remarked.  "What  a  funny  song  t  I 
cannot  call  it  lively,  though." 

"  Lively  be  hanged  I "  burst  out  the  Canadian  at  her  elbow,  who  had  never 
been  so  rude  before.  "  It's  a  death  song.  Look  out,  mates.  Au  gvtl,  cam- 
aradfs  !  "  with  a  great  shout,  "  this  red  nigger's  turned  •  bad  I ' " 

The  savage  responded  to  the  accus;icion  by  a  defiant  whoop.  Fifty  difTerent 
spots  sent  up  its  echo,  and  whut  seemed  wolv^  bounded  up  out  of  the  snow 
hare  and  there  in  the  gathering  gloom. 

It  was  too  late  for  the  tiunieis  to  attempt  a  seizure  of  the  steersman.  Already 
they  were  paralyzed,  Os  they  had  partly  arisen,  by  beholding  the  snow-plain 
oAexpectedly  end  in  a  sheer  dei^eent.  I'wo  seconds  after  the  first  sledge  was  , 
Ofee  the  precipice;  in  five  the  second  followed.  Three  or  four  men  leaped  out 
Of  this — of  the  other  it  wa»  impossible  to  do  so  in  time,  and  it  sank  in  the  snow 
of  which  their  leap  broke  the  crust.  The  conductors  of  the  do^-sledges  began 
plying  their  whips,  and  the  yelping  of  the  dogs  rent  the  frosty  air.  Upon  those 
fugitives,  scattered  cm  each  bide,  the  fifty  dark  figures  sjiot  arrows  with  almost 
amal  aim. 

By  night,  in  aboai  half-an-hour  only,  no  living  representative  of  thie  party 
seemed  forthcoming.  Till  then  the  assailing  lorce  bad  not  relaxed  their  mur- 
derous intentions.  Dragging  the  dog>sledges  to  a  .hollow,  where  th«y  could 
light  a  fire  unobserved,  tliey  greedily  leasied  on  'ho  provisions,  with  the  addi- 
tional dainty  of  one  of  the  dags  roaited  for  '•  fresh  meat ! " 

In  the  morning  they  descended  into  the  chasm  where  the  Indian  ^ide  had  ^ 
so  deliberately  wrecked  the  "cunoes-that-slide-on-the-snow."  None  of  the 
taUes  had  survived  the  descent  as  fur  as  they  could  be  found  id  the  snow.  They 
«Nire  smothered,  or  the  cold  liad  killed  them  in  the  long  ni^ht.  Over  the  whites 
the  Indian.<i  showed  no  emotion  save  a  brutal  rejoicing.  But  it  was  different 
when  they  discovered  the  body  of  thdr  countryman.  Not  only  were  they  n 
little  perplexed  how  to  regard  a  su'cids  which  so  profited  the  tribe,  (or  thvt 
Indian  rareiy  'lommits  that  crime,  bat  Sandy  Ferguson,  c-h.incing  to  »-e  hurled 
near  the  villain,  had  dragged  himself,  thooglA  ijkis  limbs  were  dislocated,  m>  aa  to 


■■-fM% 


cours''!  I  tlie  inn- 
trees  of  bark  and 
nd  the  tops  of 
Indians.    Th« 

But  the  illim- 
hurried  the  two 
i:k  the  rudest  with 

It.    Visions  of  hot 

Few  obstacles 
y  and  warned  bis 

line  at  lengfth  re- 
lift^"  that  in  an 
r  of  a  forest  which 

aintly  smile  too. 
r  a  curious  monot- 
;ed  off  in  the  warm 

t  a  funojr  song  I     I 

ow,  wbo  had  never 
!S.  Au  gitttt  cam- 
i  I  • " 

>p.  Fifty  different 
p  out  of  the  snow 

iteersman,  Already 
ing  the  snow-ptain 
he  first  sledge  was , 
>ur  men  leaped  out 
it  saok  in  the  sno« 
doe-sledges  began 
:y  air.  Upon  thc$« 
irrows  with  almost 

falive  of  the  party 
rcUxcd  their  mur- 
',  where  ilicy  could 
t(MU,  with  (headdi- 

e  Indian  guide  had 
)w,"    None  of  the 

in  the  snow.  They 
It.  Over  the  whites 
Jut  .It  was  different 
jt  only  were  they  a 
d  the  tribe.^w  *•>(» 
incing  to  S"*  hurlrf 

dislocated,  m  lu  to 


Fabe  Piht. 


fall  on  him,  and  had  half  torn  off  hiii  scalp  when  deith  had  fastened  his  icy  grip 
on  him. 

The  Joy  of  the  victors  was  thus  damped.  They  sang  over  their  martyr -hero, 
and,  bestowing  on  his  corpse  the  prises  he  would  have  won  if  aliv«,  gaye  him  ft 
chief's  burial. 

"  He  was  a  great  man,  knd  Ahntmeke*  (the  Tliunderbolt)  gives  up  his  own 
torophy,  the  English  gun,  to  adorn  his  last  sleeping-place.  May  the  fear, 
inspiring  Crow  nation  never  know  the  son  who  would  not  do  as  much  t9  lead 
a  prey  into  their  grasp.    Ahnemekee  salutes  thee  1 " 

They  had  riggml  up  a  kind  of  bed  with  crosspieces  in  the  united  apex  of 
fern  pines.  These  were  within  reach  of  the  men  on  the  snow  at  present. 
When  the  thaws  came,  the  dead  Crow,  laid  upon  this  platform,  would  be  forty 
feet  in  the  air.  About  him  wa.s  laid  and  hung  his  share  of  the  spoil  due  to  bis 
long  and  patient  plotting. 

In  times  of  distress,  the  funereal  offerings  to  any  Indian  of  mark  may  b«  at 
symboliral  and  worthless,  intrinsically,  as  the  cut  paper  of  the  Chinese.  But 
when  valuables  can  be  afforded,  they  themselves  are  left  with  the  dead,  aiid  dogs 
and  horses  are  sacrificed. 

On  the  completion  of  this  mournful  ceremony  the  Crows  departed,  sure  that 
t^ey  had  made  a  clean  sweep  of  the  party,  so  skilfully  and  daringly  decoyed  to 
thrir  doom  by  the  pretended  Chippeway  Not  till  the  steahng  up  ot'  the 
whitened  wolves  proved  they  had  long  since  left  the  ivind  untainted  with  their 
ct'our  did  the  rubbish-heap  of  a  large  decayed  tree  move  as  if  a  gigantic 
I'  ole  were  in  operaUon,  and  the  apprehensive  face  of  Miss  Maclan  showed 
iis.-lf. 

Apparently  she  alone  had  escaped  the  butchery  following  the  hurling  of  the 
lar^e  >ledges  over  into  the  snowy  giilt. 

Spilt  out,  like  all  the.  other  occupants  of  the  vehicle  except  two  or  thiee, 
n-iien  it  "turned  turtle  "  in  its  leap,  the  sail  had  chanced  to  embosom  her  in  its 
fuids  as  the  clrcularly-risintj  column  of  cold  air  from  below  caught  it  and  mo- 
mc'  tarilv  swelled  it  out.  By  this  accident  the  swiftness  was  lessened.  Never. 
thel(>ss.',the  sail  was  soon  snatched  from  her  and  rent  to  shreds,  whilst  sha 
Ian  Ird  on  the  touchwood  of  the  storm-felled  cedar. 

When  she  recovered  consciousness  it  was  night.  She  fancied  she  heard  ft 
*voi,:«!  calling,  but  that  mav  have  been  pure  fancy.  On  the  height  abova  she 
could  hear  onlv  too  plainW  the  ghoulish  meniment  of  the  Indians  over  their 
earatise  and  the  moans  of  some  wretch  being  tortured  to  add  a  xest  to  their 
regale.  All  she  had  heard  trf  the  redskin's  merciless  treatment  of  women  c«p« 
tives  impressed  her.  Shr  crept  still  more  deeply  into  the  cavity  of  the  rotten 
tre',  and  waited  with  litt'o  hope.  Not  a  sound  to  cheer  her  in  her  neighbcur> 
hood.  Absorbed  in  prayers,  to  drive  away  the  poignant  anxiety  for  her  fath'W, 
she  did  not  feel  the-intense  cold.  As  for  that,  she  was  well  earbed  in  superb 
{ur»,  the  double  clothing  which  Canadian  ladies  bad  chosen  for  her  with  their 
*xo»rience,  when  she  an.iounced  her  resolve  to  accompany  her  father.  • 

When  dawn  camd,  her  fears  were  harrowing.  Around  and  even  over  hef 
h«aa  [ft  hrr  ambush,  the  ravenous  foe  scampered  and  scuttled  like  the  beasts 
of  rapine  and  carnage  they  were.  They  probed  the  snow  and  every  cleft  of  the 
rocks  to  secure  the  hairy  trophies  from  the  hiU<less  crews  of  the  snow  ships. 
Not  one  could  have  been  found  alive,  for  at  each  unearthing,  Iflla  judged  by 
Che  tone  that  the  finders  experienced  di!>appoiniment.  On  the  olher  hand,  the 
spoil  of  the  sledges  was  embarrassing  in  its  quantity  for  the  band. 

She  dared  not  peep  out ;  she  dri'aded  that  the  feehi»^  blue  thread  of  cnn- 
dcnsed  breath  from  l.er  nook  would  betray  her.    She  did  not  see,  therciore. 


lO 


The  Red.  River  Half-Breed, 


that,  unable  to  bear  away  mare  than  a  tenth  of  the  plunder,  the  res'  was  hidden 
under  the  precipice. 

At  last  cai  ?  time  when  hunger  drove  her'forth.    The  desolation  and 

stillness  in  thiii  iow  were  overwhelming.  The  snow  was  trampled  and  pulled 
about  by  the  searchers.  Dead  bodie.5,  gashed  and  unlimbed,  strew  '  the  late 
virffin-white  expanse,  amid  the  broken  boxes  and  disrupted  cases. 

UlU  shuddered  to  tread  among  these  hideous  corpses,  where  it  was  impos- 
sible for  her  to  recognise  her  late  ccnpanioiis.  To  find  her  father  was  a  vain 
Idea.  She  took  a  smashed  tin  (d  mea.  and  some  chocolate,  and  at* 
ferociously. 

On  high,  the  stars  glittered  with  a  cold  brighthess,  which  revealed  they 
S4W  her  misery  and  erief,  but  offered  no  consolation.  On  the  edge  of  thie 
precipice,  gorged  wolves,  that  had  devoured  the  voyageurs  up  there,  were 
iasily  contemplating  the  solitary  form  with  motion  in  the  w/eck,  and  among 
the  human  remains  of  the  expedition  so  gay  and  gallant  fifty  hours  before. 

Her  ungovernable  appetite  appeased,  and  her  thirst  far  from  quenched  bf 
sucking  a  snowball,  she  mournfully  reflected  on  her  plight. 

A  child  of  luxury,  it  was  more  a  nightmare  than  reality  that  she  could  be 
here,  in  the  North-Western  desert,  the  great  mass  of  the  Rocky  Mountains 
looming  up  beyond,  impressive,  insurmountable,  and  on  the  other  three  points, 
a  thousand  miles  of  snow  i  and  she  a  young  girl,  alone  I 

A  company  of  sappers  and  miners  would  have  had  a  week's  work  in  the  iron- 
boitnd  joil  under  the  snow  to  inter  this  mangled  dibris  of  mortality.  For  h«r 
to  attempt  the  pious  dutv  was  a  mockery. 

Neverti  jless,  when  the  moon  ro.se,  a  frenzied  impulse  to  veil  the  poor 
oreatures,  with  at  least  a  little  shrouding  snow,  would  have  set  her  in  action. 
But  at  the  first  step  towards  the  nearest  corpse,  with  its  trunk  bristling  with 
iUTOWs,  and  its  eyeless  sockets  appealing  to  the  Creator  against  the  barbarous 
JWtrt^,  Utla  stopped  short. 

She  was  fascinated  by  the  spectacle  presented  at  the  junction  of  protruding 
pines  where  the  deceptive  Indian  guide  reposed  upon  the  platform.  The  moon- 
inundated  it  with  tremulous  beams. 

Suddenly  she  was  sure  that  the  body  was  animated.  So  do  the  vampires 
spring  to  life  when  the  moon  bathes  them  in  radiance.  Certainly  the  figure  sat 
up  cautiously ;  ;he  pale  tiice  wa«  sven  visible  ■,  with  a  stMuly  hand  some  of  the 
trophies  which  adorned  the  monument  were  tmlumged  from  the  branches— the 
kniie  of  Sanriy  Ferguson,  the  English  rifle  and  cartridge-container  of  her 
father,  divers  appurtenances  which  had  been  left  to  equip  the  departing  spirit 
ior  the  happy  hunting-ground  "  over  the  range  "  yonder. 

Thus  armed,  the  ghastly  phantom  leaped  down,  and  threatened  to  march 
upon  the  horrified  obsoiver.  Already  three  wolves,  descending  the  face  of  the 
bluff,  sniffed  danger.  As  the  spectre  proceeded,  rhe  largest  squatted,  and 
emitted  a  lugubrious  howl.  Alt  the  others  echoed  it.  For  some  minutes  the 
ffcqne  was  filled  with  this  bio<"l-curdling  concert,  loud  enough  to  have 
Cwnkened  still  more  dead. 

But  Ulla  did  not  hear  the  infernal  chorus  any  longer.  On  beholding  the 
course  of  the  appalling  apparition  to  be  aimed  indubitably  at  her,  the  convic- 
tion was  too  strorig  for  her  over-tasked  nerves.  She  murmured  a  prayer,  and 
Itemed  to  flee  frantically;  but  the  snow  was  treacherous,  and  she  slid  down  in  a 
soft  gap,  where  the  feathery  particles  closed  over  her  head. 

Perfectly  un'.'onsciobs,  jlie  did  not  hear  the  supposed  Indian  halt  almost  a^ 
the  edge  of  the  sealed-up  cavity  whictt  concealed  her  Iroio  even  Usi  eii^pttlj 
questioning  eyes. 


le  res'  was  hidden 

be  desolation  and 
ampled  «nd  pulled 

strew    '  the  late 
cases, 
lere  it  was  impos- 

father  was  a  vain 
ocolate,    and    at« 

ich   revealed  th^ 

J  the  edge  of  thie 
up   there,   were 
wireck,  and  among 
hours  before. 
rem  quenched  bf 

that  she  could  be 
Rocky  Mountains 
other  three  points, 

■  work  in  the  iron- 
lortality.    For  her 

to  veil  the  poor 
set  her  in  action, 
utik  bristling  with 
ainst  the  barbaroua 


etionof 
tfonn. 


protruding 
The  moos' 


0  do  the  vampires 
ainly  the  figure  sat 
hand  some  of  the 
the  branches— the 
e-container  of  her 
te  departing  spirit 

reotened  to  march 
ing  the  face  of  the 
rest  squatted,  and 
some  minutes  the 
enough  to    have 

On  beholding  the 
at  her,  the  convic- 
jred  a  prayer,  and 
she  slicl  down  in  a 

lian  halt  almost  a^ 
a  even  hiu  eagerly 


The  MouHtttineers*  SttKg  Catin, 


11 


"  What  a  terrible  tragedy,"  he  exclaimed,  with  the  deepest  emotion,  in 
English. 

It  was  the  secretary  of  Sir  Archie. 

"  All  torn  to  pieces  by  those  odious  villains  I"  he  continued.  "  On  the  dead 
they  vented  their  spite  ;  on  the  goods  they  have  inflicted  all  the  wanton  damage 
possible,  so  that  they  might  not  benefit  even  some  starving  traveller  who  came 
into  this  Pit  ol  Abomination.  That  generous  old  gentleman,  these  brave, 
patient,  devoted,  cheerful  hunter<i  and  c»mp-men,'that  young  lady  never  to  be 
too  nuch  pitied  I  It  brings  the  tears  into  my  eyes— miserable  solitary  mourner 
that  I  am  to  try  to  do  so  much  barbarity  justice.  Heaven  knows  that  I  came 
out  here  with  no  prejudice  against  the  red  man.  This  sain*  Indian  who  enlisted 
merely  to  lure  the  expedition  to  destruction,  accepted  my  courtesies  with  a 
grateful  mien.  And  yet  he  was  a  monster!  I  glory  to  have  profaned  his 
rasting.place — to  rob  the  robber  of  the  weapons  with  which,  God  aiding  me,  I 
shall  aven,;e  my  massacred  comrades  I" 

He  perambulated  the  valley  of  death  till  sunrise.  He  called  and  examined 
every  spot  with  care ;  but  all  the  time  no  response  was  gi*'en  him.  Then, 
having  made  a  meal  on  the  height,  where  the  same  fntal  tale  was  displayed  iu 
the  bones  with  which  the  wolves  sported,  he  doggedly  took  up  the  trail  of  the 
victors. 

But  at  the  woods,  where  the  snow  presented  a  different  aspect  and  was  absent 
in  tracts,  he  found  that  the  wily  sav^es  were  not  to  be  foUowad  by  an 
inexperienced  nuui,  however  brave,  vigorous,  and  determined. 


CHAPTER  in. 

TKI  MOUMrAINKERS'    SNUG  CABIM. 

The  two  hunters,  red  and  white,  who  had  taken  eight  day?"  to  ascend  the  western 
slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  were  only  one  reaching  a  reasonable  approach  to 
the  level  of  the  plateau  of      e  Yellowstone  Basin. 

A  little  above  them  sh(^iie  the  snow.line  belting  the  giants  of  granite,  and 
here  the  timber-line  spread  in  brown.  The  breath  of  numberless  icy  caverns 
murmured  of  the  stupendous  crystal  founts,  sources  of  powerful  stit^ms  which 
would  be  on  their  way  to  enrich  regions  remote. 

The  declining  sun  glimmered  along  the  smooth  steeps  and  glittered  on  the 
jagged  ones,  reflected  from  ice,  softened  by  snows,  sparklin«r  In  torrents  as  the 
Mattered  diamonds  leaped  so  far  that  finally  they  were  dissipated  in  humid 
dust. 

Through  all  the  difficulties  of  the  way,  where  no  trodden  way  existed,  the  two 
guides  and  guards  of  the  little  train  proceeded  with  the  perfection  of  experience 
to  be  acquired  only  by  bearing  fatigues  and  danger  with  which  that  magnificent 
mountain  chain  abounds. 

In  fact,  it  was  impossible,  even  among  tiie  host  of  Western  pioneers,  mote 
nttmerotts  than  those  imagine  wlio  never  can  see  them  collected,  to  find  two 


'm 


I» 


Tlu  Htd  motr  Ha(/*Bre0d. 


mountain-men  more  keen,  tkiU«d,  •ad  resolute  than  "  Oid  Jim "  Ridjv  u.d 
"  Cherokee  Bill." 

Ridge  was  a  xai\«t  m«K  than  ordinarily  met,  even  !n  the  Wt^t ;  b«t  too  'velt 
proportioned,  though  a  little  »psre,  to  revetil  to  ihe  careless  ♦■ye  how  enviably  he 
was  gifted  by  nature.  His  f«;iture!i  were  handsome,  though  worn  and  wrattier- 
beaten  ;  after  a  cour«e  of  Turkish  b.'iihs  and  line  tuilet  appliances,  he  would  li.ive 
eclipsed  the  showiest  cavaliers  in  a  Paris,  London,  or  Vienna  opera-house  ball. 
His  forehead,  high  and  broad,  was  creased  rather  hy  play  o(  emotions  tlian 
effect  of  age.  His  blue  eyes  were  mild  enough  in  repose  to  charm  the  most 
timid  maid  ;  but  In  action  they  became  fierce  and  sharp  as  a  bufr.ilo's  at  bay. 
They  were  eyes  that  could  follow  a  trail  without  his  getting  out  of  the  saddle  or 
leaning  over  much.  His  note  was  long,  rather  curved  than  straight,  with  pliant 
nostrils  which  rose  and  fell  freely  in  hi.s  liberal  respiration  for  the  supply  of  a 
massive  chest.  The  mouth  was  full  of  teeth,  strong,  sound  and  white,  us  only 
garnish  those  who  are  mo3tly  meat>eatsrs;  the  lips  wer«  red,  but  almost  con- 
cealed in  a  moustache  and  beard,  trimmed  rately,  yet  welt  kept,  of  a  warm 
flaxen  striped  with  silver  ;  this  tint  also  gleamed  in  his  long  locks  from  under  a 
blue  fox-skin  cap.  Erect,  something  like  a  Mars  who  inclined  towards  Apollo 
rather  than  Hercules,  sturdy,  firm,  energetic,  any  beholder  knew  that  he  :itood 
before  an  exceptional  nian,  full  of  goodness,  courage,  and  simple  belief  in  man 
being  I'l  merely  inspired  an/mo/. 

Id  '  cjitttn'*  dress''  ho  would  ha\.  k^.-med  confined;  hence,  his  hunting 
costume  suited  him  far  better.  It  vnis — from  the  fur  cap  mentioned  to  the 
mocassins  fortiAed  with  rawhide  soles — composed  of  a  leather  frock,  caught-in 
at  the  wai:it  to  support  hu  small-arms  by  its  oelt,  fringed  with  its  own  buckskin  ; 
a  red  flaonel  shin,  with  a  black  silk  neckerchief  carelessly  fastened  by  a  diamond 
pin  of  California  gold  such  as  an  ingenious  miner  himself  may  shape ;  the 
leggings  were  also  of  biickskm,  tringi-d  Tike  the  frock,  and  similarly  so  "worked 
up  in  grease"  as  to  hhvo  lost  the  tendency  to  stretch  in  the  wet  which  plays  the 
mischief  with  leather  garments.  Balancing  a  sword-bayonet  on  one  hip,  not 
unlike  a  machete,  hung  a  h:itchet,  whilst  his  six-shooters  were  of  a  size  thnt 
promised  damage  at  a  tongish  range.  His  gun  was  peculiar.  It  was  a  "  yager," 
-or  short  rifle  of  the  old  United  States  diagoons,  sending  a  large  ball ;  he  had 
had  it  converted  into  a  breechloader,  a  "  fourteen  shoot,  with  the  availability 
to  reserve  the  store  and  load  at  the  muzzle  with  any  particular  charge 
independently.  The  stock  was  fortified  with  home-made  raw-hide  band:). 
Thanks  to  long  and  continual  practice,  knowing  how  \o  humour  al!  "  her  leeile 
peculiarities,"  as  he  would  affectionately  say,  the  rifle  was  used  by  him  afoot  or 
on  horse,  off-handed  or  in  a  rest,  with  loi\g  and  calculated  aim  t  at  a  snap-!<hot 
with  a  fatality  that  made  it  dreaded.  As  often  as  by  any  other  title,  Jim  Rid»e 
was  called  "the  Yager  of  the  Yellowstone.''  As  tar  south  as  the  mysterious 
Sun-worshipping  Indians'  secludcil  homes,  this  name  was  the  backbone  of  camp 
stories,  in  which  our  mountaineer's  markmanship  was  not  unduly  praised. 

Jim  Ridge  looked  the  man  to  make  history,  but  his  lime  had  not  ccme,  he 
would  have  modestly  said,  if  reproached  therefor. 

As  for  his  comrade,  he  was  clad  as  an  Indian  rover,  with  better  underclothing 
and  equipments  than  the  red  man  obtains.  His  gun  wasa  formidable  and  cost'y 
Winchester  rifle.  He  was  tall  and  slender,  ralher  forbidding  and  haughty, 
gloomy  and  imperturbable;  but  his  small  bead-like  black  eyes  sparkled  with 
daring  cunning  and  a  kind  of  nourished  hatred.  Spite  of  his  savage  airs  and 
war-paint,  the  ciuse  observer  must  have  perceived  that  he  had  enjoyed  civili- 
sation at  one  period.  He  was  not  an  "  unwashed  Injin."  Indeed,  Cherokee  Bill 
tRtas  the  best  pupil  in  a  St.  Louis  college,  wher*  his  intelligence,  courtesy  quite 


Jim  "  Ridgtt  *J.d 

nt ;  but  too  <well 
re  how  envmbty  ha 
Yorn  and  wrather- 
en,  he  would  li.ive 
opera-house  ball. 
of  emotions  than 

charm  the  most 
a  bufTiilo'ii  stt  bay. 
It  of  the  s.-iddle  or 
flight, with  pliant 
r  the  supply  of  a 
ind  white,  us  only 
i,  but  almost  con- 
kept,  of  a  warm 
ocks  from  under  a 
:d  towards  Apollo 
lew  that  he  siood 
iple  belief  ia  man 

ence,  bis  hunting 

mentioned  to  the 
■r  frock,  caught-in 

its  own  buckskin  ; 
;ned  by  a  diamond 
f  may  shape ;  the 
liiarly  so  "worked 
et  which  plays  tho 
t  on  one  hip,  not 
ere  of  a  size  that 

It  was  a  "yager," 
arge  ball ;  he  had 
th  the  availability 
particular   charge 

raw-hide  bands, 
our  ali  "her  teetle 
td  by  bim  afoot  or 
1  Ar  at  n  nnap-nhot 
er  title,  Jim  Ridoe 
as  the  n^ysferious 
backbone  of  camp 
luly  praised. 

had  not  ccme,  he 

itter  underclothing 
nnidnble  and  cost'y 
ing  and  haughty, 
yes  sparkled  with 
s  savaee  airs  and 
Itad  enjoyed  civili- 
sed, Cherokee  Bill 
tcOc  courtesy  quite 


The  Motmiainetrs'  Snug  Cabin, 


»3 


charming,  trindlinen,  and  devotion  to  stody  galite<}  the  esteem  of  bis  tutor  and 
the  respect  of  the  white  students,  who,  Southerner*  though  they  were,  never 
objected  to  bin  blood. 

One  dav,  when  he  was  about  eighteen,  an  old  Indian  woman,  whom  he  pasMd 
•t  the  college-gate,  followed  him  to  a  lonely  street,  and  called  him  affection- 
ately. It  was  his  mother,  whom  he  had  rarely  teen,  and  whose  latest  absence 
had  lasted  nearly  a  year.  She  had  not  wasted  those  ten  months ;  they  were 
•pent  on  his  behalf. 

She  was  a  Cherokee,  daughter  of  a  chief  ;  she  had  been  united  gladly  to  the 
colebrated  South  and  North-Westrm  trapper  and  mountain  adventurer,  Bill 
Williams,  one  of  those  excellent  shots  whose  gains  in  tho  fur  trade  were  seldom 
capped  by  any  other  three,  though  "  there  were  giants  in  those  days  " — 1830-50. 
There  was  no  doubt  that  he  possessed  some  secret  knowledge  of  the  winter 
refuges  of  the  wild  animals  raiuabie  in  commerce.  Hither  l>e  went,  always 
alone,  to  slay  the  pick  at  leisure.  Quaint,  hearty,  "  whole-souled,"  "  Old  Bill  " 
Williams  had  not  an  enemy,  spite  of  this  "  certainty,"  and  even  the  hunters  who 
tried  to  follow  him  and  discover  the  soiirces  of  his  fortune,  would  turn  away 
laughingly  when,  at  some  mountain  pass,  where  one  man  could  keep  back  a 
multittide,  they  would  abruptly  run  up  against  Williams'  trusty  rifle,  and  henr 
him  challenge. 

"  D'ye  h'ar,  now,  bovs  I  go  'way  from  fooling  with  the  old  mossback  when  |w 
has  his  shooting-iron  loaded— it  may  hurt  some  o'  ye  ;  mind  that,  boys  I  " 

Nevertheless,  at  Ust,  Bill  Williams  failed  to  come  to  ,St.  Louis  or  Santa  F6 
with  the  well-known  pack ;  and,  as  year  after  year  passed,  the  old  hunters  would 
sadly  shake  their  frosting  brows  and  feelingly  mutter,  "Old  Billy's  gone  up, 
sure  I  'tell  'ee  for  a  true  thing,  they've  rubbed  out  the  o|d  marksman.  See  I 
h'yar  goes  for  a  sign  on  my  stock ;  I've  a  bullet  for  the  nigger  that  sent  him 
under,  mind  that  I  " 

At  length  the  mountains  yielded  up  the  mystery  in  part.  Bill  Wiltiaias' 
squaw,  penetrating  snow-fil'ed  gorges  where,  arsuredly,  no  woman  had  ever 
stepped,  came  into  a  glade  where  a  skeleton  of  a  horae  gleamed  yellow  like  old 
alabaster  in  the  icy  crust.  In  a  snow-bank,  half  fallen  open  like  a  split  nut,  was 
vi&ible  a  kind  ot  human  figure,  mummified  by  dry  cold.  It  was  the  veteran 
trapper.  He  was  in  the  position  of  a  hunter  awaiting  a  prowling  foe  ambushed 
in  the  shrub,  his  rifle  in  advance,  his  shrunken  face  still  leaning  out  eagerly.  In 
t^e  leather  shirt  and  breast,  almost  as  tanned  with  sun  and  wind,  was  a  bullet's 
wound ;  the  squaw  could  even  chisel  it  out  of  the  frozen  flesh,  where  blood  had 
long  since  ceased  to  flow.  1  hat  was  the  only  clue  to  the  tracker  and  slayer  of 
the  trapper,  ard  that  was  the  single  token  and  heritage  which  altered  the  entire 
couise  of  young  Williams'  life.  School  and  cities  saw  him  no  more;  he  took 
to  the  wilds,  and  lived  on  the  war-path  as  far  as  the  still  unpunished  murderer 
of  his  father  was  concerned. 

He  was  rich,  like  Jim  Ridge,  for  they  had  penetrated  the  very  "  mother- 
pocket "  of  the  Rocky  Mountains'  gold-store ;  but  he,  no  more  than  his  pure- 
white  partner,  would  renounce  the  existence  of  peril,  but  also  of  independence. 

Suddenlv  a  deep  "  Hugh  I "  of  attention  from  Cherokee  Bill  attracted  the 
white  man  s  ear. 

"  What  ?  "  said  he,  peering  around,  but  seeing  nothing  to  .-ilarm  him  ;  not 
bad  the  animals,  usually  acute  observers,  perceived  anything  even  novel. 

"  A  solitary  man,"  answered  Bill,  who  spoke  good  English,  of  cour.<«. 

Ri^ge  shook  his  head,  not  in  doubt  of  his  comrade's  ability,  but  in  self-blame. 

On  tho  highlands,  nothing  but  long  habit  endows  one  with  the  power  to 

eulat^  distances  exactly.   RArefactioo  gives  the  atmosphere  a  clearness  whioh 


•MBit  to  brittc  tb*  horicoa  to  haiid— th«  wf ht  ts  wtfiidtd  iviefixnfiy,  U'1 
m^wwa  of  flhadofr*  in  vaat  vall*ya  look  like  mtrm  tptclu  in  the  cxpanMn  of 
light,  ao  that  the  apace  between  the  standpoint  and  •  dietant  object  i«  usually 
mistaken.  There  ar^  alio  fnntastic  effects  fron)  the  vapour  being  fruxAn  or 
•xpanded,  and  preaeatiag  apparently  solid  formi,  where,  in  fact,  unsubslAu* 
tiality  rei^s. 

"  I  am  going  for  him,"  proceeded  Cherokee  Bill ;  "  after  all,  it's  no  od4«— 
we  ate  '  to  hontel '  "  with  a  imile  at  his  own  imitation  of  the  Yankee  tw»ng. 

Wrapping  his  gun  in  his  buffalo  robes,  taken  off  his  pony,  the  half-breed 
sHd  down  tlie  declivity  at  the  side  of  the  "  road,"  ao  to  flatter  >t,  and  scrambling 
along  an  icy  torrent  of  lovely  blue  water,  suddenly  sprang  in  under  the  cascade 
from  an  arching  rock  and  disappeared. 

Ridge  did  not  even  glance  siter  him  :  besides,  he  hsd  arrived,  indeed.  He 
suddenly  took  the  bell-mare  hy  the  bridLs,  and  swerved  her  into  an  apparently 
impenL'trable  thicket — a  "  wioU-slash,"  where  the  mase  of  dead-wood  was 
increased  by  the  prostration  of  many  tough  evergreens,  blown  dor/n  by  nn 
irreiiislible  tornado.  But  there  had  been  traced  here  a  kind  of  way,  throtigh 
which  the  pack-animals  insinuated  themselvea  with  the  surenest  of  a  cat, 
bruahing  off  nothing  of  their  loads.  As  for  the  two  horses,  they  were  more 
familiar  with  the  strange  path,  and  threaded  its  sinuosities  like  dogs  tunnelling 
under  the  walls  'fa  meat  smokehoi'se.  It  is  probable  they  scented  their  sttble,- 
and  knew  rest  and  food  would  shortly  reward  them  for  terrible  toil  and  tribula- 
tion. Having  pierced  the  tunnel  of  vegetation,  there  w.vs  one  of  stone,  still 
moie  curious. 

It  was  an  almost  regular  tube,  in  black  lavastone,  fr>-.r  feet  wide,  sevCn  or 
eight  in  height,  stuooth  as  glass  mostly.  Invisible  fissureii,  however,  must  have 
supplied  sweet  air,  for  it  was  not  hard  breathing  i.-^  all  the  extent,  nearer  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  than  a  half  on  the  straight.  No  human  hand  had  fashioned 
it ;  one  must  presume  that,  in  the  days  when  Vulcan  swayed  over  Neptune  on 
the  earth,  a  torrent  of  lava  was  rushing  down  the  steeps,  when,  suddenly,  an 
immense  snowfall  smothered  the  fiery  river  and  chilled  it  into  a  casine  of  stone 
around  a  still  molten  interior.  That  inner  flow  had  contiuued,  and  left  the 
tubular  crust  intact. 

The  ground  was  a  fine  sand,  heavy  with  iron,  so  that  it  did  not  rise  far.  At 
the  end  of  this  channel  a  star  suddenly  gl  ^ed,  welcome  in  the  complete  dark- 
ness, into  which,  a!«suredly,  (he  bravest  o.  en  would  have  hesitated  to  follow  a 
foe.  It  was  the  outer  air  again,  filling  a  banin,  rock-engirt  to  a  great  height. 
In  this  lonely  spot  there  was  not  a  scrap  of  moss,  not  one  blade  of  grass,  and 
no  shrub,  however  hardy.  The  calcined  '•  blossom-rock  "  wore  a  yellow  hue, 
streaked  with  red  and  black;  but  here  and  there  rose  separate  boulders  of 
Qi'artz,  disintegrated  by  time  and  rain  and  whirling  winds,  which  danced  these 
Titanic  blocks  like  thistles,  and  squeezed  out  those  dull  misshapen  lumps. 
Those  lumps  were  gold,  however;  this  was  a  '"  mother-source"— -one  of  these 
nests  of  Fortune  for  which  the  confirmed  gold- seeker  quits  home,  family,  wealth 
itself  in  other  mines  that  content  the  less  ravenous.  Ridge  traversed  this 
placer — no  pltasurt  to  him,  lonely  Man  of  the  Mountain— with  a  foot  as  reck- 
less as  those  of  the  s'r'ng  of  animals.  The  night  was  coming.  He  hurried 
them  on  into  a  secoi  <i  ^ut  short  subterranean  passage,  with  a  couple  of 
turnings,  which  fi»»'H  o  i  ei  d  into  a  cavern.  At  its  fa.-  end  a  natural  doorway 
afforded  a  view  oi  *>!*»  -  f  -  blue  sky,  where  the  brilliant  stars  seemed  all  of  a 
sudden  to  be  strewr  (  .  those  ftw  moments  the  sua  h4.d  gone  down,  and 
darkness  come. 

Ridge  laid  asido  »is  gun,  and  started  a  Ore,  already  laid,  \%  %  r^Hxty  of  tb* 


Tlu  Ham  whs  ram  right  into  Uroii^iw, 


ioieftnit«ly,  aa<t 
In  the  expana«ii  of 
at  object  U  usually 
|»ar  being  fromn  of 
in   fact,  luuHibalAa. 

\t  all,  it't  no  odd*'— 
k«  Yankee  twang. 
toDf,  the  half-breed 
lr  -t,  and  torambliitg 
under  th«  cascade 

rrivad,  indeed.  He 
into  an  apparently 

of  dead -wood  wa« 

blourn  dor/B  by  no 
tad  of  way,  through 

aureneM  of  a  cat, 
I,  they  were  more 
like  dogs  tunnelling 
•cented  their  itible,- 
ble  toil  and  tribuU- 
»  one  of  stone,  still 

fwt  wide,  aertn  or 
however,  must  have 
extent,  nearer  three 
hand  bad  fashioned 
ed  over  Neptune  on 
,  wbon,  suddenly,  an 
ito  a  cas.'ne  of  stone 
ttiuued,  ana  left  the 

id  not  rise  far.    At 
the  complete  dark- 
liesitated  to  follow  a 
t  to  a  great  height, 
blade  of  grass,  and 
wore  a  yellow  hue, 
iparate  boulder*  of 
which  danced  the«e 
missihapen  lumps, 
rce  " — one  of  these 
ome,  family,  wealth 
idgo  iravcrsfcd  thii 
with  a  foot  as  reck- 
nning.     He  hurried 
with  a  couple  of 
a  natural  doorway 
rs  seemed  all  of  a 
d  gone  down,  and 

,  ia  a  <:avity  of  the 


grotto.    Th*  walls  (laamsd  back  the  rising  firelight ;  here  amber  studs  In  coal, 
ther*  {MtciMS  of  mica-scMst,  varied  gold  and  silver  in  hue. 

After  unpacking  the  animals,  whose  stom  Imi  earefully  plmmi  fa  cavaa,  Im 
sant  tbem  after  the  beil-mare  and  the  hoaling  Ikirsas,  in  through  a  channel  to  a 
sort  of  enclosed  pasturage.  Returning,  he  pat  some  jcrkud  meat  down  to  broil, 
some  roots  to  roast  like  so  many  potstoes,  and  added  to  the  s^ting>out  of  a 
rude  but  hearty  meal  several  of  'he  delicacies  brought  in  the  train  from 
Oragon.  He  was  calmly  smoking,  .  xlining  at  great  easa,  with  the  air  of  on« 
who  felt  he  had  earned  the  repose,  '■?  ted  by  tha  sweet  murmur  of  underground 
streams,  pouring  out  of  anoiant  glaciers.  The  approach  of  footstsps  maUe  him 
glance  roand.  The  steps  he  knew  to  be  Cherokee  Bill's  ;  to  it  was  their  being 
heavier  than  usual  that  alone  ro«ied  him. 

The  half-breed  was  carrying  a  m^a  over  h<s  shoulder  with  no  mora  delicacy 
than  if  it  had  been  a  deer's  carcase. 

"  Got  him,  Bill  t "  remarked  Ridga. 

"  I  sko  i  smila  not  to  cauture  such  a  tandar-foot,"  was  tha  rejoinder,  as  ke 
flung  his  uuman  prise  upou  tne  cavern  floor. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

THK  MAN  WHO  SAM  UOHT  INTO  TtOUBLS. 

Thi  prisoner  of  the  Cherokee  Hslf-breod  was  in  a  forlorn  state,  more  part)ca> 
larly  as  regarded  apparel.  Hardly  suited  for  mountaineering  at  their  best,  his 
clothes  were  sorry  rags,  which  an  attempt  at  mending  with  bark  fibre  and  row 
hide  had  even  rendered  more  lamentable.  A  horse-hiir  lasso,  of  remarkable 
fineness  and  strength,  was  wcund  round  and  round  him  with  a  care  which  a 
Chinese  would  have  envied.  A  handful  of  moss  was  the  gag  which  nearly 
choked  him,  but  his  eyes  were  more  full  of  rage  than  wipplication,  and  they 
seemed  to  burn  with  enhanced  indignation  when  he  found  the  ladiao  was 
concert  with  a  white  hunter. 

Young  Bill  Williams  flung  his  captive  down  on  some  dry  rushes.  And,  laying^ 
aside  nis  gun  and  the  stranger's,  which  was  broken,  be  sat  dowu  at  the  fire. 

"  It  was  a  coyote,"  he  remarked,  scornfully.  "  But  the  Cherokee  did  not 
give  him  even  time  to  yelp." 

"  Ah  I  '*  said  Ridge,  "  1  wonder  you  did  not  shoot  him  th9r.  Thar  will 
always  be  pl^anty  of  that  game  on  the  prairie  for  the  greenhorn  hunter,  I  opine. 
It  is  all  very  well  our  discovering  this  country,  but  we  don't  want  any  raw 
Easteni  fellows,  with  Bo.3ton  dressing-,  discoverinix  «i  .'''  Bill  made  no  com- 
ment. He  had  pulled  the  -ouscd  bears'  p  :;ws  ov«r  to  him,  poured  out  some 
c-offet — from  which  the  full  aroma  was  extracted  by  a  sudden  chill  at  the  height 
of  its  boiling  with  cold  water — and  w^!>  thus  beginmng  hi^  x.eal. 

The  silence  that  fell  was  broken  owiy  by  the  champmjr  of  the  two  men  as  they 
repaid  themselves  for  the  travail  since  Monday.  Each  had  n  brandy  flask,  and 
thmr  auppUea  include'i  spirits,  but  lutuher  drank  a.iyv'.hing  but  the  sweet,  pura 


i6 


The  Red  Rwtr  Hnlf-Breed. 


wattT  of  the  snow  torrent.  Ridge  was  naturally  ahstcmioos,  tV.e  half-Cherokefl 
sobei-  from  having  seun  the  mischief  wrought  his  mother's  race  by  the  fire-water. 

After  the  meal,  the  two  smoked,  and  the  white  man  faintly  whistled  a  Hwly 
tune.  Neither  gave  heed  to  the  prisoner,  who  had  ample  leisure  to  ga*e  on  th« 
strange  resort  into  which  he  had  been  unceremoniously  conveyed. 

The  firelight  illumitiated  the  grotto;  several  jjaps  were  outlets  or  storehonstn ; 
bales  of  furs,  bundles  of  army  and  trade  g<i  ,  kegs  of  prwder,  pigs  of  »iad, 
packages  of  fancy  goods  us«id  in  Indian  trading,  httrness,  simple  cooking  uten- 
sils,  these  enctmibered  the  place  ;  but  one  could  guess  that  they  wou!J  form  a 
barricade  at  emergency  in  case  the  enemy  penettated  to  this  inmost  hold.  At 
first  glance,  and  even  at  the  teisure  gaze  of  the  prisoner,  it  seemed  the  den  of  a 
bandit, 

"  What  did  you  bring  him  la'."  the  rahche  for,  chief?"  inquired  Ridge,  ia 
that  pigeon-English  of  the  North  West,  callsd  the  "  Chinnook ''  dialect,  though 
composed  of  Chinnook,  Scotch,  English,  and  Canadian-French,  as  well  a* 
hunters'  English,  to  which  confusing  medley  these  two  friends  imparted  still 
another  rest  by  an  infusion  of  Cherokee,  Creole,  French,  and  Spanish'American, 
for  which  good  reason  we  forbear  the  sentences  verbatim. 

"  Because,"  replied  tht'  other,  "  it  waj  too  dark  to  see  the  trail,  and  he  must  tell 
whether  he  iti  alone  or  the  spy  of  a  band.  At  all  events,  it  doesn't  look  as  if  he 
had  l«en  in  to  the  fort  Tor  his  pay  lately,"  added  Bill,  w:th  a  quiet  fleeting  smile, 
'*  and  bought  any  clothes  I  " 

"  You  are  rii^ht.  Loose  him,  and  we'll  try  htm.  By  the  way,  that's  a  beauty- 
lariat,  I  can  teil  you." 

Indeed,  as  bt^re  hinted,  the  lasso  confining  the  captive  wai  composed  of 
•elected  horse-hair,  and  toilsomely  and  deftly  plaited. 

"  I  was  still  on  the  scout,"  said  Bill,  whilst  engaged  undoing  the  bonds,  roIU 
ing  the  man  to  and  fro  as  suited  his  desires,  "  whea  suddenly  a  movement  of  a 
•crub  pine  half  a  pistol  shot  off  made  me  bring  my  rifle  to  bear  on  it.  I  was  just 
about  to  pull,  when  up  pops  my  ma»i  trying :  'Hold  hard,  or  you're  a  dead 
Injun  1'  Me  7  It  looked  as  if  we  were  going  to  make  our  bullets  kiss  in  mid-air, 
but  I  reckon  I  was  a  leetle  the  quicker,  and  while  his  ball  whistled  upon  the  top 
atoreys  of  the  sierra,  mine  cut  his  barrel  in  half,  right  there  at  the  stock,  whicii 
remained  in  his  hand.  So,  as  he  staggered  in  surprise,  I  sprang  ou  uim,  took 
off  from  his  belt  the  lasso — a  real  article,  and  no  mistake  1  worth  a  w«ir  pony  !— 
and  girdled  him  like  a  papoose.  Moreover,  t  wrapped  my  robe  round  his 
head,  so  that  he  should  not  sae  how  we  glide  into  the  Rocky  Mountain  House, 
j>T  oprietors,  Messrs.  Ridge  iind  Williams,  and  here  he  is  dumped  down." 

The  man  was  hardly  able  to  stand  when  unbound.  He  w'ped  his  mOMth  with 
the  tattered  sleeve  of  His  old  army  overcoat,  shook  himself,  and  reeled  tound 
toward  the  fire,  whither  the  Half-breed  had  given  him  a  gentle  push. 

"  We  don't  often  mett  &  white  man  away  here,"  sa^d  Ridge,  sitting  up  like  a 
jttdim.    "  Let  me  have  e.  good  long  look." 

ITie  firelight  fell  full  upon  him.  Already,  whilst  waitinf,  the  stranger  had 
fortified  himself :  he  wa;?  cold,  calm,  save  for  his  lips  curling  in  a  mocking 
smi-e,  though  he  very  well  saw  that  his  confrontcrs  were  his  judges,  and,  pos- 
aibly,  executioners,  if  thejr  determined  on  death. 

He  was  a  man  about  fivts  and  forty,  rather  tali,  with  legs  "split  up  so  at''  as 
to  be  as  good  a  walker  almost  as  Ridge  himself.  He  was  the  more  gaunt  from 
Tcceni  privations.  His  "  waatber-skin  "  seernr»d  newly  assuined,  and,  swn  in  the 
town,  he  would  have  been  taken  for  a  schoolmaster  of  the  Indian  Reserfitio'tt 
or  <■.  trader  s  bookkeeper, 

''  Vou  are  a  white,  an  American,  from  the  Eastern  Slates  "said  RfdgtKMter 


•S'SiKaii 


eed. 


emtoos,  t^s  half-Cherokee 
her's  race  by  the  fire-water. 

faintly  whistled  a  lU'cljr 
nple  leisure  to  gue  on  the 
ily  conveyed. 

rere  outlets  or  storehoitses ; 
s  of  pcnrder,  pigs  of  i^^td, 
nets,  simple  cookine  uten- 
is  that  they  wou! J  form  a 

to  this  inmost  hold.  At 
ler,  it  seemed  the  den  ot  « 

hief  9  "  inquired  Ridge,  !a 
Chinnook  dialect,  though 
adian-French,  as  well  a* 
two  friends  imparted  stiU 
ch.aitd  Spanish' AmericaD, 
tim. 

Ee  the  trail,  and  he  must  tell 
nts,  it  doesn't  look  aa  if  he 
w:th  a  quiet  fleeting  smile, 

ty  the  way,  that's  a  beauty- 

captive  wa:<  compoied  of 

d  undoing  the  bonds,  roll- 
iraddenly  a  movement  of  a 
ifle  to  bear  on  it.  I  was  just 
old  hard,  or  you're  a  dead 
:e  our  bullets  kiss  in  mid-air, 
I  ball  whistled  upon  the  top 
lit  there  at  the  stock,  which 
rise,  I  sprang  on  uim,  took 
itake  I  worth  a  wjW  pony  !— 
rapped  my  robe  round  his 
le  Rocky  Mountain  House, 
le  is  dumped  down." 

He  w'ped  his  mouth  with 
himself,  and  reeled  round 
im  a  gentle  push, 
ivd  Ridge,  sitting  up  like  a 

-  waitinf,  the  stranger  had 
lips  curling  in  a  tnockitig 
I  were  his  judges,  and,  poa- 

ih  tegs  "split  up  so  M''  a* 
e  was  the  more  gaunt  from 
y  assumed,  and,  «*«n  in  the 
of  the  Indian  Re^ 

n  St»tcs"sald  Mi 


The  Man  whitlr^'ii 


WiYit^uf^fe: 


a  ccuple  of  mrrut-a.    "  Yon  are  not  a  hjnter  or  tnappcr,  a  gentteman  spoits- 
miUJ,  or  a  squawman.     What  brings  you  out  here  up  m  the-  mountiins  ?  " 

•'  You  are  a  white,  an  American  of  the«e  Western  States,'  returned  the  other, 
quietly,  "  whense  ycur  right  to  pull  me  about  and  (juestion  me  ?  If  this  Indian^ 
is  on  ae  land  oJ  his  forefathers,  I  will  pay  him  tribute  as  far  M  in  my  power'. 
As  for  you,  why  stop  my  wandering?  Have  I  nought  to  run  against  yon  f 
Have  I  done  anything  more  than  essay  to  dtfend  my  life  when  a  tircarm  waa 
levelled  at  my  breast?  State  anything  th^t  gives  you  a  light  to  dec!  with  a 
citizen  oi  the  U»iited  States  in  the  United  State?  V" 

"  These  are  big  \vords,'"  replied  Ridge,  puzzled  whether  to  be  angry  or 
amused, though  there  was  no  doubt  that  Cherokee  Bill  felt  the  first  sentiment ;  "  but 
I  am  not  erchanging  Fourth  of  July  speeches  with  you,  but  askiag  questions." 

"  To  answer  ?    'Spose  I  don't  choose  f  " 

"  You'll  b3  made  to.  1  guess,"  rejo'r.ed  the  mountaineer,  hotly. 

"You  mean  you  two  will  cut  aiy  thioat  in  this  den,  nr  hang  me  in  my  own 
lassa i  The  Utter  \s'\\\  serve  me  right,  aa  I  took  it  at  the  cost  of  a. life  from  the 
redskin  irho  hurled  nic  off  my  horse  with  the  same.  Well,  suppose  you  da  kill 
me,  wilS  you  know  more  about  me  than  you  do  now?  " 

"What!  kiled  an  Indian  for  the  rope?"  said  Ridge,  turning  to  the 
Ch«wokee.    "What  breed?" 

"  ComancI.e  I "  said  the  latter,  examining  the  lasso  critically. 

"  The  lafso  is  of  Comanche  make,"  went  on  the  mountain  man,  severely 
fi  owning  agaiu.  "  And  V\\  swear  your  cheek  has  never  been  buwit  south  of  the 
Platte." 

''That's  so.  It  was  a '  foot  Indian '  who  tried  to  kill  me.  I  boast  no  know- 
ledge of  these  gentry.  That's  one  of  his  shoes.  The  other  I  wore  to  death  nn 
these  cursed  fiirty  hills." 

'  Crow  I  "  cried  the  Hali-breed,  with  a  glance  at  Che  moccasin.  "  Mountain 
Crow  I  wid  a  war>stioe  I " 

"  Th»  Crows  '  cut,* "  repeated  Ridge,  biting  his  lips.  "  You  see,  we  are  get* 
ling  information,  though  you  are  so  ■rtiagy.  Come,  cs  yccr  ne>va  leads  off  so 
gowl,  continue  it.  Who  arc  you,  I  s»y  ?  "and  what  f  your  business  where  few 
of  us  who  are  regular  trappers  venture  ?  '• 

"A  tirapper?''^ 

"  An  :ionest  trapper  I  What  did  you  l«he  us  forf — rdsbors  wid  mnrderer  ?". 
•aid  tl'  i  hunter,  indignantly, 

"  V  ell,  I  kind  o'  don't  know,"  rejoined  the  stranger,  with    a    signifir.int 
glai» .'   at  Cherokee  Bi.'l,  whose  savigo  eyes  wert  not  reaasnring  lik?  the  othei's,. 
"  N'^  name  is  no  value  out  here,  four  thousand  miles  from  my  folks,  I  feM} 
but  if  ycu  are  a  regular  trapper —  -" 

"1  am  called  the  Oid  Mai>  of  tha  Mcuaitain,"  said  Ridge,  sadly  rather  Ihao 
proudly.  '  i  am  4bout  the  last  of  th(;  old  gvAto — I  fear  one  of  tha  oldest  mt-'*. 
1  am  Jim  Ridge.  That's  tho  .mg  man'd  best  companion  out  here,  tiiat'3 
called  the  Yager — wme  njwme  p  >n  "ne,  t'r  ,  ':j  tha  bearing  of  it  j  the  Yager 
of  tho  Yellowstone.  Wlien  I  hit.  .ie<l  th*t  first  ir-  '4a,  1  bent  a  trifle  under  tro 
weight.  Them  wais  the  gs»>r.1,  f.int'  old  iimcs  I  the  sort  of  men  we  gtt  ntiw 
dop't  grade  up  with  the  br,.,  r.  t'  rt  passed  up  to  1850.  They  donl  hunt  nfl 
they  butcher.  They  doslt  t'-xi>  --they  surround  and  jlaughler.  TJiey" 
dealing  out  a  beaver  lake  V'iti':  .1.  divine;  bell,  next!  I  wonder  i  Yfff^ 
Old  Man,  the  Y.ager  of  the  Y*ii  'wstontis,"  hie  'eocated,  a  Ht.'ie  piqi^Mi  V  « 
fame  failing  or.  a  dead  car — "  i'l^n  or  wh.":»»,  they  ail  know  thi«  chilct," 

The  strangir  seemed  easier  ;   .)«;,  unfort-unately,  the  ghost  of  a  stn.'k  i 
wan  features  was  assumed  to  bts  impudenco- 


x8 


Thf  Red  River 


•'Answer,  then,"  iwnt  o«  R'dw,  testily,  "for  !  don't  »^,-t  iiotMoSyour 
blooJ  on  my  knife,  though  it  is  itching  to  ht  in  at  yoor  ribs." 

"  Nonsense.  Yoa  are  neither  h»«ity  nof  biowlthirttj',  >,r.  Ridg<».  Om 
question  from  aae  first,  if  you  |>ic»,ie ' 

Old  I'm  w«ved  bis  hand  di<|^:«div  at  *hts  poiit^  sddrew,  and  tb« 
♦'Mistering." 

"  I  just  want  to  know  if  yon  know  Mr.  SJrisher,  of  VarinaP** 

"  Do  1  know  '  Trading  Jake  ? '  Muchly ;  and  f.ver  so  long.  TbMb  \n)m»  am 
for  him,"  pointing  to  a  stack  against  the  walls 

"  Then  I  have  a  meseage  for  you,  Mr.  Ridge,"  vent  on  the  prisoner,  relieved 
entirely. 

"A  letter?" 

"  The  letter  is  lost ;  I  ate  it  up  when  a  gung  of  Digger  Indians  piayed  the 
Joke  of  making  in«  excliaage  a  good  outfit  for  these  rags.  Luckily,  fhey 
thought  it  was  a  talisman,  and  that  to  cook  nte  and  eat  me  with  that  medicitte 
paper  ir  my  gullet  was  an  error,  and  so  I  got  away,  together  with  my  ^na* 
But  I  know  the      ntents,  and  tlrey  are  important,  Mr.  Brashor  said.'*  -^ 

''  Fire  away  I  "  said  Ridge,  more  and  more  thawed  out  towards  tte  3^  :»k-^, 

"  But  first,  some  proof  I  am  not  being  deceived.*'  L   -"  ^,1^-! 

Hang  the  man  \  "  laughed  Jim,  amused  at  being  .ui  unknown  U.     VfSfW   ^ 
in  this  world.    "  Show  him  mv  bnmd  on  those  packs,  Bill." 

"'J.  Ridge' "—hero  t  welV'  said  the  captive,  " this  is  the  ^ff'^  /    .i^rufi 
'The  man  they  call  CcpUtin  Kidd  and  a  g»:i^  of  border  troubUjy  aVti  &■: . 
town  with  tools,  stores,  and  fire  arms  galore,  and  I  want  the  Old  it.an  of  tiHl'>: 
Mountain  to  know  that  they  are  bot<na  for  the  big  Placer  in  the  Yellowstone 
Re{;ion.'    That  la  what  I  waf  to  tell  every  regular  hunter  and  trapper  until  Mr. 
Ridge  hrard  of  it." 

"  Oh,  c&ll  me  Jim  !     I  am  much  obliged  to  Brasher.    Well,  stranger,  yoil 

are  too  deep  for  me  if  this  is  a  g<t-iip  of  your'n.     Resarve  your  own  secte^ 

-and  meanwhile  there's  sage  ile  anfl  snalke  grease  for  jfour  bruises,  and  fire  ana 

meat  and  Injin 'taters ;  and  you  can  have  whiskey  if  your  appetite  crJls  that 

way.     Fall  on  !  as  the  soldiers  saj." 

Then  vacating  the  fireside,  he  drew  aside  with  the  lndit.n,  «id  the  two  eved 
the  captive  inqubitorially  while  he  devoured  the  supper,  which  represetited 
prok-bly  two  or  three  meals  he  had  missed. 
-  "  Drink  free!"  said  Ri-ige,  offering  a  hjrn  cup.  "  Y<»  iieed  fe.jf  notMilg 
iiow.  One  who  has  shared  ihe  trapper's  hospitality  ha*  X<a  b«  a  fstid.Mt  iH«ail 
skunk  to  desrrve  kicking  out." 

"  Nobody's  going  to  say   a  word  against   yotir  hospHality,"  retorted  tU^ 

anger,  sarcastically.    '•  The  feed's  capitJ»l,  and  the  liauot  a  reviver,  for,  though 

•jt.  temperance  man,  i  need  it  as  medicine,  I  can  tell  you.     But  the  way  tnn 

ittapper  introduces  guests  to  his  hospitality  by  shooting  a  welcome  at  him, 

trussing  him  up  like  a  turkey,  and  tossing  him  down  on  the  floor  like  a  roll  of 

carpet  u>  be  b^tec,  is  not  what  a  simple  traveller  frotn  the  Atlantic  seaboani 

approvefi  of." 

"  Stranger,"  said  R'tJge,  sitting  down  on  a  btiffalo  skull  a*ool  covered 
luKuriously  -yith  furs  which  a  Russian  grand  duchess  might  give  her  earrings  to 
possesJ,  "  this  is  our  home  round  here  by  all  the  rights  the  first  discoverer  and 
the  constant  defender  nay  claim.  My  companytto  was  not  to  know  witli  what 
inientions  you  were  making  yourself  a  neighbour.  You  may  think  yourself  iucl^ 
that  his  shot  did  net  pierce  your  brain  or  heart,  atid  that  he  did  sot  u«  ibs 
slip-knot  of  your  lariat  tn  deco-ate  the  nearest  larch  with  you.  It  ii  aeoeataiy 
that  our  mountiun  fort  situuld  be  kept  hid  from  everybody.    Geatleswn.Iin 


mi. 


The  Man-  who  ran  right  into  Trmhle. 


I» 


t  3w>,"t  noil*  of  your 
>,  2r.r.  Iti^.  One 
B$  i^drets,  and  tlw 

ing.  Tios*  k«le8  aw 
[he  pnsoiKST,  relieved 

w  Indians  played  the 
rags.    Luckily,  they 

le  with  that  inediciiMt. 

gether  with  my       ""' 

ishar  said." 
towards'  tte  %  -^k^-^i 

nltno*iv<:^    M''i0-  ■'•■ 

li."  *'  V"    Bi' 

a  the  cctr\'i",.sflA-i      ^ 

BT  troubles  «t»«  »":  -  W 

It  the  Old  K-an  of  tB* 

cer  in  the  Yellowstone 

'  and  trapper  until  Mf. 

■.    Well,  stranger,  you 
sarve  your  own  secre^ 
ir  brviises,  and  iire  and     y 
sur  appetite  ceJh  *hat 

diin,  and  the  two  e»ed 
per,  which  iwprese».ted 

Yob  need  fe.jr  n{Ahi^ 
ta  be  a  |^.  aci^M»  nieaA 

ipitality,"  retorted  tK* 
»» a  reviver,  for,  thoMfi 

you.  But  the  way  trw 
ing  a  welcome  at  hint), 

the  floor  like  a  roll  ©f 
A  the  Atlantic  seaboard 

lo  skull  stool  covarad 
ight  give  her  earrings  So 
the  first  discoverer  and 
not  to  know  witii  what 
may  think  yourself  lucky 

il--«.    L-     .tlJ     "it^    v^tasik  ifctn*  - 

ith  yon.    It  ii  aeoessaty 
yhody.    GentleBMH.,ffl» 


Mr.  B«M&e»  do  not  know  5t.  .ir.  Tell  roe  four  name,  »^«*  t]f  J"''  ««  «" 
rvn-Uv^,  ^-  as  sr  yo«  have  rested  you  ma/  equip  yourself  and  go  your  wav. 
W^  can  tmt  tt*  jour  being  led  out,  hoodwinkid  asyouwerebroogftt,  toma.nt^ 
our  secret.    So  much  l^  do  for  Trading  Juke's  messenger.    Anything  else, 

^  Thl*ex-Brisonw  was  surprised  at  so  much  confidence.andthe  promsae  to  flace 
him  on  a  feif  footing  for  the  task  upon  his  shoulders.  ,   .»    .  ^    j    t  n  «* 

"You  win  do  thi.,  «h .'"  crie*lhe>ith  frank  joy ;  "  a  good  nfle  .nMead  of  that 
broken  m«*et.  food  and  powder  clothes  against  ttas«arcb.  -3  aOr? 

"Jim  Ridge  never  yet  bto)i»fbia  word,"  remarkwl  the  Cherokee,  fotthe  fc^st 

time  rctenting  in  his  suspiciSa  so  as  to  addresr  his  late  captive. 

^«  My  n-mlgoes  fc^  n'cAhipg,  t»nt  I  will  iell  you  nw  mission  out  hew.  andjhy 

voar  ih  *ill  pui  oie  uader  a  ffsat  ohUgatK^n.  Besidea.  you  have  the expenence 

WbtoKI  ladi^  W  who  Soaows httt  that  yens  oonuMnU  on  myatory  aaay  fie  .« 

'^&>  vonrseK  at  tome,  th«n,»  said  th«  old  monniaicew,  i^ljawntly; 
« there'*  a  pip-!  for  you,  tew,  and  the  i.'ght  is  only  oegan.  We  »  sstidoq*  have 
com^ny,  el,  Bill  P  that  acoupk  of  no«r8  for  a  stovyteller  will  be  a  r^l  teeat. 
Stranger,  ms  listen,  if  the  grub  has  put  you  in  pretty  good  shape  again.  _ 

"  One  moment,"  demurreri  t^e  ether ;  "  you  talk  cd  the  need  to  p>a.t4  this 
olace  from  spies.  Now,  1  can't  compliment  yon  on  your  vigilance  and  pnideneje 
whea  you  squat  hers  in  the  broad  firelight  wHIi  the  cawwa  g^ng  <^n  yonder— 
an  indJan  boy  t»uld  rJddie  us  with  arrows." 

"  n^ou  dont  mind  getting  up  and  coming  to  th«  c^ing,  yon  shall  see  ttiat 
—bat  not  so  near  «he  brink~the  crust  is  shaky.  See,  how  wadny  1  detach  a 
chunk.    Don't  !r  1  forward.    Look  for'.h~jt  is  a  clear  nigtit.  „  .\,. 

It  was  serer.  and  lovely.  The  tjtais  shone  unveiled,  and  that  was  all  in  tfea 
deep  indifc.  '-.aek,  where,  ben«aih,  the  desp -rooted  pin-a  could  b«  heard  slowly 
swayiag,  nj*  seen,  Hfcc  a  field  of  grain  in  a  acphyr. 

"  I  «HW  rsotiiing." 

«'  Ko  trees,  no  rocks  P" 

•'  No.    Nothing  but  sta-;*.*'  , /  .         _^        #_  »i.  ^  ^ 

"Yon  .would  see  nothing  but  stars  rf  yo«  were  to  step  afttr  that  stone. 

Harkl" 
Jim  tr-indled  the  ro«ky  lump  out  of  Ow  cave;  Imt  not  the  £un^^  »«»»dpr 

echo  betokened  tJjat  it  touched  bottom  er  ai.ywhere.  ^.     „  ^     , 

pv^rve  us  I"  ejaculate4  the  gueat,  resdbng,  "  tw  the  Botfomle* 

ntgh,"  iinswered  th«  monnteiiieer,  langhiag;  "chat's  fallen  five 
y '  .feftt.  This  io  not  a  precipice  sheer  down,  but  a  peak  hollowed  out--« 
I*  t  mrjm'-  »t*«  Injins  say  a  devil'-  jump.  Strsnger,  on  this  side,  we  shaU 
f'S-^l^^^  Now  for  your  tale  !  Stir  up  the  fire  brij^y,  BiU,'' 
''X  '|§HB[k,^la>'l-  and  horrid  atory,  gentlemen." 


1 

m 


,»o 


n^  H^d  Bimr  tI<fif-Bre«d. 


CHAPTER  V. 


THt  LONE  UaN'I  rroKY. 

"GsNTLB»8E!»,"  bcgan  the  enfarted  g-uesi  of  Jim  Ridge  and  the  haff-fereed,  "  f 
was  bofn  In  an  Atlantic  State,  and  my  earliest  memoHes  relate  to  home  evenm 
of  so  little  moment  now,  that  I  have  almost  forgotten  them.  I  remember^ 
kowever,  that  a  number  of  our  young  men  formed  a  party  and  went  West,  and- 
that  the  reading  ci  some  of  their  letters  hon)e.  refiected  into  my  boyish  ears,  frd 
the  natural  longings  of  one  who  lived  sufficiently  remote  from  the  crowded 
/■r."^  V  Vow  What  a  lake  and  the  woods  are  like.  Besides,  an  uncle  of  mine 
'i  to  have  goine  to  the  same  marvellous  baclknroodit,  and  1  used  to  be 
J  a.  rwkl  wild  SndiaQ's  bow^and-arrow:!  at  the  least  when  he  shouic^ 
'  ^i  this  ta  common  enough  in  the  Ea<t.  About  the  year  1850  my 
t»c  ,i.A,  and  my  .ather,  ^a  much  to  distract  Wmsell  in  his  profound  grief  as 

fe>  qtienclv  a  thirst  for  fortune  which  he  shared  with  New  Englanders,  dcpartisd 
with  my,  a  stripling,  around  the  Cape  to  California.  Oui'  sliip  wan  rather  better 
tb4u  those  rotten  tatw  which  uitscrupulous  men  fitted  out  as  '  sopetb  cHvpcr5,' 
and  we  outstripped  many  vessels  that  had  anticipated  ouy  start.  You  must 
recall  something  of  the  sensation  due  to  the  startling  discovery  of  gold  In  t*i« 
eMmne  West.  Even  the  fables  of  old  whalers  who  visrted  the  Partfic  Co.i<t, 
^^who  really  had  bee'-  b'Und,  w«re  outdone  by  reality.  With  indescribablis 
fut'ious  madness,  peopic!  Booked  from  the  world's  confinfts  towards  a  trat;t  hardiy 
laid  dcwn  in  charts.  They  seemed  to  have  become  monsters  in  human  form,  as 
the  play-books  say,  with  no  impulse  but  avarice.  We  stepped  ashore  into  a 
field  of  '  irnage,  though  lately  a  peaceable  grazing  ground ;  men  sotight  !•> 
r«:move  c  ^oh  other  with  steel  and  lead,whil].t  the  few  females,  ^e  vilest  of  their 
sex,  freely  employed  poison.  Luckily,  tiicsc  demons  slew  one  another,  aiid  left 
nu  after-crop  of  fiends  and  furies  10  blight  *he  Golden  State. 

•*  Father  and  I  htd  no  experience  in  gold-seeking,  and  he  saw  that  tQoney 
enough  awaited  an  active,  acute  man,  in  supplying  the  returned  miners  with' 
table  delicacies.  Me  was  used  to  fishing,  trapping,  and  gunning,  nad  so  we 
set  to  killing  bears — ^any  quantity  on  the  Sierra  Nevada  'sputs'  then— «nd 
fishing  in  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joaquin.  We  built  a  ranchc  en  the  banks 
of  the  former  stream,  in  a  lonely  spot,  and  only  went  |o  town  to  sell  game  atid 
procure  ammunlt'.on  and  otjier  storea. 

'  One  Saturday  my  father  went  on  this  duty,  whilst  I  amused  myself  with 


Bght 

myself  hff>py  to  escape  so  easily  ,-  and  almost  made  me  lose  my  prize.  How- 
ever, as  this  wound  stung  me  in  pride  as  well  as  flesh — for  1  daresay,  gen. 
tlemen,  you  know  how  a  grizzly's  claws  leave  a  smart  1  "  (the  two  liunters 
nodded  animatedly)—*'  I  pressed  Oft,  after  a  circuit,  at  the  tail  of  my  first 
•  meat.'  I  overtook  It  at  dark,  had  to  kill  it-— It  wa*  so  stubborn— dressed  it, 
and  carried  away  the  paws  and  choice  meat  in  the  hide.  The  sun  was  down, 
and  »ny  load  was  too  heavy  for  ro»j  to  show  much  spoed,  though  I  Jsclieved  my 
father  would  be  impatiently  awaitii^g  me. 


Th»  lAite  SiiUii  Stoty, 


SI 


d  the  hatf-!»reed,  "  f 

relate  to  home  even  is 

them.     I  remember, 

and  went  West,  and 

to  my  boyish  efits,  M 

»  fi'om  the  crowded 

es,  an  ancle  of  rnin« 

6b,  and  I  used  to  b« 

east  when  he  shotrft^ 

Ut  the  year  1 850  my 

his  pfOTound  grief  as 

Enplanders,  departed 

ship  waa  rather  bett«r 

as  '  soperb  cRppcrs,' 

ow  start.    You  ma»t 

icovcry  of  gold  fn  t*i« 

;ed  the  Pacific  Coji^t, 

With  indescribablci 

owards  a  tract  hardiy 

ers  in  hmnan  form,  as 

itepped  ashore  into  a 

>und;  men  sought  l» 

lies,  the  vilest  of  (h^ir 

one  another,  and  left 

te. 

1  he  saw  that  money 
returned  miners  with 
gunning,  nai  so  we 
la  'spms'  then— >and 
I  ranche  en  the  ban)i!^ 
)wn  to  s«ll  game  and 

amused  myself  with 
ive,  as  a  hotel  Itcepof 
atety,  a  huae  gritsiy 
:  of  which  I  thought 
ose  my  prize.  How- 
— for  I  daresay,  gen« 
I  "  (the  tare  l)ut;tera . 
the  tail  of  my  firjt 
ituhborn — dressed  it, 
The  sun  was  down, 
hough  I  jaeiieved  my 


"  It  was  n!n«  <Vok>dic  when  I  sightsd  tii«  landhe.  Tha  squally  wind  presaged 
a  tempest.  As  no  light  shone  at  the  window,  I  concluded  my  father,  who  must 
have  got  back,  had  gone  to  bed,  weary  of  waiting.  I  pulU^  up  the  latch, 
entered,  flune  down  the  game,  and  was  making  for  th»  hearth,  to  get  a  flara-i^, 
when  I  heard  a  faint  voice  close  by  falter— 

"  '  Is  that  you,  Sam  ? '  My  father's  voice  >  The  tOM  sent  a  shiver  all  over  me 
till  the  blood  ran  cold  from  my  heart. 

" '  Oh,  tjiat  yon  had  come  an  hoar  sooner  i '  be.  sighed. 

"  In  an  instant  I  had  a  blaze  oc  the  hearth  with  a  handful  of  beafs'  grease 
upon  the  embers. 

"  There  lay  the  old  nan,  '.laving  triad  to  crawi  ta  his  coach.  His  face  was 
livid  ;  two  wounds  were  on  his  breast— one  of  a  firearm,  one  of  a  knife  ;  and  he 
was  scalped  a*  well.  The  blood  from  these  n^tected  wounds  painted  him 
thidrly  and  hideously.  I  fell  on  my  lenses  beside  Mm,  and  tried,  though  vainly, 
to  stannch  those  dreadful  hurts. 

"  *  It's  no  use,  boy,'  said  ho;  '  nothing  can  fence  off  death.  I  th-,nk  Heaven  I 
was  atfowed  to  linger  till  you  came.  Now,  dash  away  your  te^^4,  «u)d  listen  to 
me  like  a  man.  In  half-an-hour  I  shall  be  no  more ;  t^  that  will  do  if  you 
mean  to  sec  justice  done  me.' " 

"  He  had  started  for  San  Francisco  at  one,  so  M  t»  be  home  early  enough  to 
have  a  good  meal  against  my  leiun.  if  I  were  out.  He  soon  got  through  his 
business,  and  was  going  to  leave,  when  he  met  a  native  Californian  acqunintanoe 
— a  gamhusinOt  ot  confirmed  gold-hunter — a  man  he  liked  very  well.  To  have 
a  friendly  glass  at  leisure,  they  dropped  into  the  net  est  public  restort,  the 
gamblers'  and  revetkiTs'  hotel,  called  the  '  Polka  *  salooa.  The  place  was 
crammed  with  drinkers  taking  their  morning  'eye-openers,'  or  desperadoes 
relating  *h«r  night's  •xpioits,  or  rai3creant9»hatolitng  frceb  schemes.  Several 
kept  <  crnising '  round  utj  father  and  his  f'iend. 

"  Botl  .vere  objects  of  mure  general  interest  than  either,  perhaps,  beliced : 
the  Californian  was  suspected  to  have  found  more  than  one  gold  vein  worth 
tapping ;  and  m'y  father,  as  a  hunter,  was  likewise  thought  to  have  blundered 
upon  the  natural  treasuries  of  the  mountains  in  his  pursuit  of  b'ar.  To  both, 
schemes  had  been  proposed  by  blacklegs,  and  both  had  repulsed  them — the 
Spaniard  with  pride,  and  my  father  with  some  cutting  jest  or  pure  casi^essness. 
Both  had  made  enemies  thereby. 

"  Three  of  these  enemies  now  buued  round  their  table,  One  was  a  french- 
man, known  as '  Lottery  Paul,'  because  he  had  drawn  the  passengsr's  ticket  of 
a  Parisian  '  drtw,'  to  enable  the  chosen  subscriber  to  go  free  to  San  Francisco. 
He  was  '  little  bilious  wretch,  low  and  sneering,  a  sort  of  lynx  and  fox  in 
cambinatioi).  His  partners  Were  a  huge  Englieh  convict  from  Gibraltar,  and 
called  '  Quarry  Dick,'  and  a  Mexican,  who  haii  (leesi«itt<!ii  ao  VMiay,  i  .v^i»*, 
that  he  vms  glorified  as  '  Macamaa  the  slayer.' 

"  Perhaps  it  was  too  soon  in  the  day  for  these  debauohed  dogs  to  have  shipped 
enough  spirit  to  fall  foul  of  two  men  well  artned^  In  any  case,  they  let  my 
father  and  his  friend  leave  the  saloon  unimpeded.  The  three  scoundrels 
hovered  about  them  5  but,  finally,  seomed  to  be  disgusted  at  their  remaining  on 
ihe  alert,  and  !e«t  them. 

'  "  The  two  friends  separated,  and  my  father  got  home  before  dark  without 
alarm.  He  had  hardly  stepped  indoors,  however,  than  three. men  fell  on  him, 
all  in  the  dafk.  They  wen  dressed  like  Indians  j  but,  as  they  threatened  to 
kill  him  unless  he  revealed  wliere  be  kiiew  gold  was  waiting  for  the  digger,  it 
was  clear  that  was  bat  a  di^uise  •  for  the  toaA'  My  father  had  been  doubled 
as  a  man  by  his  mtouataiA  me,»n4  be  gave  them  a  seiiotu  half-hour's  divur- 


"ii 


The  Red  Rivsr  Hay-Bned. 


sion ;  twice  he  got  free,  and  MA  nbout  him  with  a  long  knife  At  last,  one 
i>hot  and  another  srtabbed  him  ;  and,  either  from  rage  at  having  been  bafHed,  or 
to  carry  out  their  assumption  of  the  Indifin  character,  they  scalped  hiift.  He 
had  the  fortitude  to  pretend  to  be  dead  as  he  suffered  this  outrage.  In  the 
encounter  he  had  snatched  away  the  scapular^  worn  by  one  ruffian,  .'aid  open 
the  cheek  of  another,  and  wounded  a  third  tn  the  side.  The  latter  nnight 
escape  me;  but  I  had  a  clue  to  the  others.  Then,  urging  me  to  bring  these 
murderers  to  justice,  my  father  expired,  the  storm  overwhelming  his  latest 
prayer  and  blessing. 

"I  buried  him  under  the  hearth^one,  and  fired  the.ranche  over  his  head, 

determined  that  no  one  should  dwell  in  the  hou-se  where  his  blood  had  mingled 

with  the  murderers'.     I  went  to  San  Francisco,  but  those  three  bandits  were  laid 

wp  from  the  effects  of  the  struggle,  or  in  mere  te-ror  of  me,  for  the  authorities 

were  not  yet  in  power  to  punish  even  the  notoriously  criminal.     I  continued  tha 

search  without  discouragement,  b«Sing  rather  a  pertinacious  man,  tiil,  one  day, 

-my  Mexican  friend,  as  he  had  been  my  father's,  warned  me  thr.*4  was  in  error  i 

these  three  roen  were  now  hunting  me,  having  transferred  their  enmity  ftom  my 

iather  to  my  head ;  and,  in  fact,  it  was  a  wonder  1  had  not  yet  falbn  a  victim  in  one 

(i{  their  vicious  circles  whece  1  had  penetrated.  Being  on  my  guard  from  this'out, 

our  warfare  continued  long  without  result.    At  last,  I  heard  they  had  separated, 

and  gone  who  knows  where — over  the  mountains,  on  the  sea,  up  in  the  mines  P 

Besides,  th»  Mexican  had  opened  his  house  to  me,,  a  favour  not  often  accorded 

f    011  American  by  one  who  reckoned  us  invaders  and  heretics  and  no  blessing  to 

»ff^e  country ;  and  he  had  a  fair  daughter  whom,  in  short,  I  wedded.     I  allowed 

^'      i'ih  of  vcng4»ance  to  rest,  and  the  hatred  of  my  foes  seemed  in  the  same  way 

ii*r- 1>;!  «hol»*d. 

"  One  summer,  a  French  gcintleman,  who  said  he  was  on  a  scientific  expedition, 
offered  n^  remarkably  handsome  terms  to  be  his  guide  to  Oregon,  i  did  not 
care  to  leave  my  wife,  but  my  father-in-law  was  interested  in  the  steamer  line  to 
the  Columbia  River,  and  1  accepted  the  mission.  However,  a  little  over  a  week 
gave  Monsieur  all  he  wanted  of  roughing  it  ifi  the  sierras,  and  he  said  he  had 
changed  his  mind,  and  wanted  to  back  out.  I  made  no  difficulty,  of  course,  amd 
we  took  the  back  track  merrily.  When  we  left,  and  he  handed  me  a  forfeit,  I 
said,  kindly  enough  :  "  I  hope  you  will  find  Madame  and  the  family  all  well  at 
borne  I  "  and  yet  some  presentiment  made  me  take  it  as  ironical. 

"  Within  two  weeks  I  returned  to  my  pueblo.  The  forewarning  was  sound : 
my  faiher-in-law's  hacienda  was  devastated^  and  the  farmbuildings  reduced  to 
ashes ;  under  that  black  heap  my  fathur-in-law,  laj  wife  and  children  were 
indistiaguishably  consumed." 

As  he  got  these  words  out  by  an  effort,  the  .spf.aker  covered  his  face  with 
kts  hands,  and  sobbed  rather  fiercely  than  mournfully.  His  two  hearers 
remained  quiet,  fastening  their  eyes  on  the  strong  man  in  resentment,  with  irre- 
pressible pity. 

"  This  time  they  had  overfilled  my  cup  of  woe,"  he  resumed,  lifting  his  head« 
and  showing  burning,  tearless  eyes.  "  I  would  not  leave  the  punishment  of 
their  slaughter  to  the  sworn  minister  of  justice,  but  avenge  my  fourfold  wrongs 
in  person  to  the  uttermost. 

' '  I  took  .1  horse  and  galloped  to  Snn  Francisco,  where  I  sought  the  French 
consul.  He  knew  nothing  of  the  pretended  scientific  explorers  that  was  a 
sham  ;  ha  was  one  of  the  gang!  But  he  was  really  a  newcomer,  and  had  no 
skill  in  hiding  his  tracks.  I  was  on  them  without  any  repose.  They  led  rtte 
by  nightfall  to  a  lone~ranche,  where  the  roll  of  the  sea,came  softly,  aad  minified 
with  the  whinnying  cf  two  horses  picketted  by  the  door,  which  weicommi  aiiSB. 


•**atw«iYi' 


t-j^ 


Sie^> 


a,! 


knife  At  last,  on« 
aviiig  been  baffled,  9r 
ey  scalped  hitfi.  He 
this  outrage.  In  the 
ine  rufSan,  Jftid  open 
!. .  Vhe  latter  might 
g  me  to  bring  these 
rwhelmiog  his  latest 

anche  over  his  head, 
lis  blood  had  mingled 
three  bandits  were  laid 
ne,  for  the  authorities 
inal.  I  continued  the 
js  mau,  till,  one  day, 
je  thr».t4  was  in  error  t 
their  enmity  fiom  my 
!t  ialbn  a  victim  in  one 
ny  guard  from  thisout, 
rd  they  had  separated, 
sea,  up  in  the  mines? 
i)ur  not  often  accorded 
ca  and  no  blessing  to 
,  I  wedded.  I  allowed 
«emed  in  the  same  way 

a  scientific  expedition, 
:o  Oregon.  I  did  not 
d  in  the  steamer  line  to 
ver,  a  little  over  a  week 
IS,  and  he  said  he  had 
[iffic'ilty,  of  course,  and 
landed  me  a  forfeit,  1 
1  the  family  all  well  at 
ironical. 

irewarninjf  was  sotind: 
nibuiWings  reduced  to 
^ife  and  cbilf^jcen  were 

•  covered  his  face  with 
lly.  His  two  beaters 
B  reseBtraent,  with  irn- 

mmed,  lifting  h!s  hesid, 
iave  the  punishment  of 
ige  my  fourfold  wrongs 

re  I  sought  the  French 
:  explorers  that  was  a 
newcomer,  and  had  no 
r  repose.  They  led  ihe 
ame  softly,  and  minj|ted 
5  which  weicomcU  tuH^e. 


1  rode  him  in  at  that  doo*  which  I  carried  off  the  hinges.  Two  men  were  on 
stools  at  a  dying  fire,  chuckling  and  drinUng.  On«^  was  Mataraas,  the  othtsi'  the 
Frenchman  who  had  engaged  me  as  guide.  They  sprang  up  in  amazement.  I 
flew  at  tli«n  with  a  tigerish  yell.  No  doubt  fury  increased  my  foices,  for  in  ten 
minutes  I  had  trampled  on*  down  «nd  lassoed  the  other.  Both  ia '  h«t[ries9 
under  my  knife. 

'"Mister  Frenchy,' said  I,  'how  much  were  you  paid  beyond  the  sim  yott 
gave  me  for  guidance  to  lure  me  aside  whilst  your  employens  burnt  my  house 
and  killed  all  those  dear  tc  me  f ' " 

" '  What,  what!' "  said  he, ' is  this  the  practical  \dka  yoa  i^^ayed,  Monsieur 
X  Matamasf 

"  The  Mexican  said  not  a  word ;  his  teeth  were  chattering  with  the  general 
tremor.  As  the  Frenchman  Saw  I  was  merciless,  end  knew  he  was  ia  my 
power,  he  told  roe  the  whole  tale  of  how  he  had  heen  hired  in  an  hour  ef 
starvation  to  decoy  me  away  from  my  home.  He  hai!  no  hand  in  the  extreme 
consequences,  and  i  iet  him  go  with  the  warning  that  I  might  not  be  so  lenient 
if  ever  we  met  again.  Whilst  he  rode  away  like  mad,  I  returned  to  M^Mnn.«, 
whose  hand  I  tied,  open,  on  a  plank,  and  I  said  .- 

"  '  Well  named  as  'the  killer,'  tell  me  al!  about  this  plot,  or  I  shall  cutyoirt^ 
joint  by  joint  I '  and,  though  you  shudder  at  the  thou^t,  sir,"  he  iucerjected  f  __ 
Rid^,  while  Cherokee  Bill  greedily  listened,  "  !  should  have  done  it;  but  »f 
the  third  of  his  finger  being  severed,  the  coward  tainted,  and,  oa  coming  to,  as 
I  sawed  a',  another  articulation,  he  whined  the  complete  coiifession.  ili.>  was 
the  scap'ilary  which  my  father  had  inextricably  erasped  in  the  deaih  '  scrim- 
mage.' If  I  had  regretted  my  cruelty,  the  list  rf  nis  crimes  would  hav»;  st«e!ed 
me  anew,  Worse  than  I  suspected  remained  to' tell,  for  his  two  accomplcea 
had  not  only  fled  with  the  valuables  of  my  father-in-law,  but  with  the  heut- 
treasures  of  mine,  which  I  had  til!  then  believed  buried  beside  tbuir  niotlier  t 
my  son  and  my  daughter,  at  present  fifteen  and  seventeen  were  abducted  by 
these  villains,  and  are  now  slaves  to  them  and  their  kinc  in  some  rocbeis' 
ranche  of  the  plains  or  whiskey-mill  shanty  in  these  mountains.  Never  can  I 
rest,  you  see,  till  they  are  rescued  from  these  chains  of  vice,  and  their  pci^w- 
cutors  £e«i  the  turkey-buazards  like  Matamas  did  himself.      - 

"  Now,  in  telling  you  that  a  band  of  gold  hunters  are  on  their  way  hither,  and 
that  I  have  recently  crossed  Indian  trails,  I  hav  i  Served  you,  Hdp  sne,  now, 
my  friends,  with  your  practical  counselr-how  can  I  sooneat  overtake  ttowe 

men  ? "  . .      .      ,      . 

There  was  a  loi^  silence.  Bill  ai.d  Ridge  conferred  m  the  sign  langnftge  M 
if  their  thoughts  were  too  full  of  action  to  be  diluted  into  verbiage. 

"  One  question  ?"  s&id  the  trapper.     "  In  »J5  your  stoiy  you  have  manifesteA 
the  greatest  heed  not  to  mentten  oames  except  <A  the  viifainouB.    Those  aro  rt^ 
|ctae  to  me.    But,  may  huppen,  thvxie  d!  yourself  and  kinsfolk  may  enlighttn  ii; 
Who  are  youf  " 

"My  name  is  Filditch,  Samuel  George  Filditch,  my  father's  Georg»  W., 
and  my  father-in-law's  Don  Tolomeo  Peralta,  well  known  in  California  and 
Sonora." 

"  Enough.  What  was  the  name  of  your  father's  brother,  whom  you  npver 
saw,  but  whom  you  remember  to  have  heard  spoken  of  in  childhood.  Was  i': 
not  Jaraes  ?  Come,  come  I  "  continued  the  old  hunter,  rising  and  kicking  a  log 
so  that  the  freshened  flame  should  flood  hit  with  radiance :  "  they  used  to  say  " 
were  like  as  boys ;  caii  you  see  no  trace  of  a  iiktness  to  my  brother  George  m  thttw; 
features ?  Still  silent  ?  Ridge  is  only  a  '  mountain-name' ;  but  believe  me,  and 
Cherokee  Bill  will  bear  iric  out  with  gun  and  knife— iheie  never  was  a  deed  of 


Tkf  Bed  mevr  Half-Breed, 


mine  doae  and«r  it  a  hieh  my  fe«l  n«mc  would  not  protidly  Cover.  It  h  Heavan 
that  h»s  brought  yo>i  {6«nty  bosow,  S»fn  I  Come  to  sfiy  heart,  where  I  h»4 
clean  given  up  dreams  of  havinf;  n  luvin^  head  pOtowrd!  H«*Ten  knows  this 
wai  a  wish  long  gnawing  at  n>y  bonits!  We'll  chip  in  torether.  Doirt't  yoo  carry 
any  heavinttss  at  yoar  heart  now.  Yoor  interests  are  mne.  I  am  not  a  yourig 
chicken,  but  I  am  game,  and  with  this  new  spirit,  I  feel  thar's  a  lot  o*  living  in 
me  yet  I    We  rtart  oa  rhis  ni»»n  hunt  to|«thef,    Thar's  my  hand,  Sam  I " 

"  And  iMre  is  mine !  "  added  the  Cherokee.  "  The  01<)  Man  and  nw  always 
hold  together  like  burri,"  he  continued,  in  a  kind  of  apologetic  tone.  '•  And 
if  ibis  ain't  the  moft  rewwrksbla  fact  I  ever  situok,  then  I  doat  WHnt  my  brtsak* 
faiit  in  the  morning." 

Thereapon  was  sealed  between  the  trio  a  compact  that  would  bring  about 
Strang*  events,  bidden  qnder  the  veil  of  the  future,  so  that  the  most  imsginative 
conld  not  foresee  the  incidents,  far  more  sorprising  than  this  meeting  of 
hiitdred,  »iA  at  all  «i  uncommon  event  in  the  West,  where  congregate  the 
ouimbers  of  the  Eastern  families,  so  wondronslj  disrupted  and  attracted  Wast. 

Ridge—stilt  to  use  that  name—and  his  nephew  were  evoking  home  memories, 
when  suddenly  the  latter  felt  a  touch  on  the  shoulder.  Cherokee  Bill  was 
aKtking  the  sign  for  silenee,  and  pointing  oat  of  the  cave  opening. 

There  jtras  a  novel  sound,  indeed,  hi  thci  stilly  night  air  :  meslc  as  from  a 
ssraphic  choir,  for  a  srore  of  women's  voices  were  singing  a  byma  at  a  distiutce 
which  Um  limpidity  of  the  air  materially  diminiriiedi 

"Cone,  tell  the  brokitd  sphU 
That  veinly  sighs  for  rest 
There  is  a  honte  in  glory, 
•         A  homt  for  ever  blest ; 
StiU  aound  the  go»>el  trumpet 

O'er  hill  and  roIHng  sea, 
From  chah)3  of  siii  sad  blackn£M, 
To  set  the  oiptive  free  I" 

"  Saivts  in  the  M<wntai«  >  "  murmared  Jim  Ridge,  tntoals^ed.  "  I  never 
heard  the  likes  hereabouts.  It  carries  me  away  back  fifty  year',  when  I  waa  a 
boy  in  the  church  t  But  what  are  white  women  doing  here  f  I  aoa  staggered. 
And  turriag  up  like  that,  too.  That's  first-riass  bait  for  Crows.  The  angels 
nnat  ha'  taken  a  fancy  to  them,  or  they  are  cracked  to  sing  at  top  tt  the  v'ice, 
an'  redskins  on  the  loose.    What  do  you  make  of  it,  Bill  F  " 

"S«el» 

The  hunter  stand  forth,  A  yeiloKV  light  appeaeed  as  a.  Kniog  to  a  cold  fog 
over  a  vale. 

"  Ah,  a  powerfaS  camp  t  No  Crsw-men  wilt  attack  tbait  in  a  harry — those 
6o^a  entnt  to  be  tui«nty  to  one,  and,  then,  somebody  has  to  tcicfc  them  on  to  it. 
Things  are  bound  to  be  interesting,  but,  I  judge,  we  can  wait  till  moraing^  At 
least,  that's  my  way.     I  am  ready  to  drop,  myself." 

"  And  I,"  said  Pildit<Hi,  itideed  exhausted. 

''  1  will  take  the  first  watch,"  observed  the  Cherokee,  calmiy. 

In  another  few  mtautcs,  wrapped  in  far  and  blankets,  the  two  white  men 
were  profoundly  reposing.  Ridge  chose  the  flat  ground  to  which  the  body 
accommodates  itself,  whilst  his  new-found  kinsman,  less  wise,  made  a  kind  of 
bed.  The  son  of  the  assaasiitatnd  trapper  guerded  them  who  bad  now  the 
aame  vow  as  himself  to  be  their  life-task. 


f/!!^:.i  .V;^^«'»^?*t*,  :.i 


la  fhnitfffmia. 


»wtr.    It  ^  Heavtn 

•  haSsti,  where  I  h»<! 

F<s«Ten  knows  this 
Hot.  Don't  yoo  c»nry 
i  1  nm  not  a  young 
ar's  a  k>t  o"  living  in 

hand,  Sam  I  * 

Man  and  me  always 
logetic  tone.  "  And 
loa't  want  my  break. 

irt  would  briwgj  about 
Ihe  most  itn»ginative 
han  this  meeting  of 
trhem  congregate  the 
and  attracted  West. 
king  home  memories, 
Cherokee  Bill  Wks 
opening. 

shr :  mwic  as  (mm  a 
«  hy«iB  at  a  ^staace 


i(*loais>.dl.  "I  neror 
ty  yi»r',  when  I  wsa  a 
re  P  I  ana  staggered, 
r  Crows.  The  angels 
ing  at  top  of  tae  vnoe, 
?•• 

a^nlogto  a  ctMfog 

iwt  in  a  hurry— those 
to  kick  them  on  to  it. 
wait  till  moraing^   At 


ilmly. 

ts,  th«  tw«  white  men 

id  to  which  the  body 

wise,  made  a  kind  of 

em  wbo  bad  aow  tho 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Iir  Hosnta  Hards. 

Whcm  UHa  Madan  came  to  her  sensns  she  found  herself  !n  darkness,  h<it  St 
was  not  that  of  the  giave.  The  snow  had  been  falling  again,  and  all  (he  night 
through  :  but  the  warmth  of  her  body  had  hollowed  out  a  cave  around  her,  in 
the  roof  of  which  her  breath  had  maintained  an  aperture.  But,  criiellv  enough, 
the  same  blanched  mantle  that  preserved  her  from  freciing  had  bbcltered  hat 
from  the  eager  eyes  of  the  only  other  survivor  of  her  father  a  party.  _ 

With  a  suffocated  feeling,  she  broke  open  the  shell,  and  wa.-ily  emerged 
into  the  more  than  ever  wintry  landscape.  All  the  breakage  ai  the  sI«i^e.load» 
bad  been  smoothly  buried  with  the  remains  of  the  hapless  Canadians. 

Not  a  mark  on  the  level  snow  revealed  the  substantiality  of  the  form  which 
she  belifived  fn  her  terror  the  spectre  of  the  Indian  Chief,  but  which  we  know 
as  the  'tecretai^,  so  nearly  discovering  her,  bat  goii^  C3  faia  fruitless  wfty» 
brokenhearted. 

The  musical  trickling  of  mehiag  snow  tantalised  her  palate,  and  sfc*! 
sCTsmHIed  through  the  soft  drift  to  a  cleft  where  a.  rivulet  was  beginning  to 
run.  The  cool  draught  wss  delicious.  Sh  ,  then  set  to  revivino;  hevself  with  a 
duh  of  it  over  her  face,  and  was  binding  up  her  hair,  when  a  Lud  and  coarse 
laugh  tnade  her  start  and  turn,  blushing. 

Three  white  men  in  hunters'  garb  stood  on  a  crest  of  the  rocks  swept  clear 
<rf  the  snow,  where  they  travelled  as  well  to  avoid  leaving  traces  as  to  be  free 
of  step.  The  mountains  r<-  <;  behind  them,  a  sweet  faint  azure,,  with  an  opal 
edge,  which  was  the  last  nij,  it's  snow.  ... 

Two  of  the  strangers  were  about  the  same  age,  some  five-and-thirty  j  harsh 
and  angular  of  feature,  brutal  and  bullying,  tall  and  burly.  In  their  half  wild, 
half  border-town  dress,  they  were  not  to  be  taken  for  genuine  trappers  by  any 
one  less  new  to  this  n  ion  than  our  heroine.  They  were  what  is  called  hide 
hunters,  or  skin  scalpers,  whose  least  shameful  occupation  is  the  slaughtering 
buffaloes  for  the  hide  alone,  or  even  collecting  their  bones  to  be  sent  East  t«c 
the  best  ivory  knife-handles. 

The  third  and  superior  was  more  than  ten  years  older,  with  piercing  grey 
eyes  and  low  forehead,  a  dirty  yellow  beard  and  loug  hair  j  the  aspect  of  a 
confirmad  rogue,  aly ,  base,  and  wicked.  They  were  alt  armed  to  the  teeth,  and 
their  arms  we!»  a  great  deal  belter  kept  than  their  teeth,  innocent  of  any 
attentions  whatever,  which  did  not  Ada  any  att^Ktion  to  ti»ir  grioa  at  sur- 
prising the  young  lady  at  her  toilet. 

Som^ow,  she  would  alm<wt  have  preferred  to  see  the  red  m*n  th?m»lws 
than  these  representatives  of  her  race.  Nevertheless,  she  named  Beflftaf, 
calated  the  disaster,  and  implored  their  help  for  Heaven's  sweet  sake. 

"  A  da'ter  of  one  of  these  top-shelf  hunting  gentlemen,"  remarked  the  oid 
man,  laughing ;  "  and  wants  help  mighty  sudden  ♦  She's  terribly  fine,  boys  I 
Narrerly  'scaped  being  gobbled  by  the/rt»rtrf/i«."  in  sarcasm,  "and  corrolled aW 
night  by  that  equaS-knocks-sial  storm,  Yes,  it'd  gi'n  me  a  deal  of  cramp ;  but 
s^  what  it  are  to  be  )>oung  and  spry  I  She's  'mazingly  lovely !"  he  exclaimed 
again  iu  an  audible  aside  to  his  feliowi,  amused  at  his  playing  the  g^lant.    "  I 


»5 


The  Red  River  Half-Bfeed. 


hain't  se«n  no  sech  sinco  I  iru  an  inch  high  and  an  hour  n'df^ 
tempts  a  lone  h'..iter  not  to  '  bach '  it  any  more,  bnt  go  into  pflrdnership.  SWtt 
*  prime  fur.'  Ves,  miw,  you  tan  come  alonj;  o'  us — you're  the  kind  to  b-i 
welcome  anywhar*  without  a  cent!  how  it  will  ahorten  tip  the  ride,  a  'grecabie 
gal  like  you  I    jerusha  I  we  shall  go  back  fulUbanded  on  the  queen  o'  hearts  I" 

"  Are  you  captain  of  some  party,  sir?" 

"  Why,  not  to-day,  miss.  We  'iect  our  cap'cn,  and  I  did  not  treat  the  boys 
well  enough  to  head  the  polls.  But  I  am  chief  of  the  scouts ;  yes,  that's  my 
rank.  However,  it's  a  coosideirable  show  of  white  men.  The  cap's  a  mntte- 
man,  and  you'll  be  as  safe  as  in  the  Mint  as  soon  as  the  captain  «e3  you. 

The  others  exchanged  a  merry  look. 

"A  large  party?"  she  repeated.  "Was  that  your  singing  I  haard  in  th« 
night,  or  was  that  a  dream  I" 

"  Well,  no,  miss,  you  never  heard  anjr  singing  in  our  camp.    Stop  a  bit, 
when  I  went  oii  my  guard  thar  was  some  singing  out  of  Quarry  Dick,  because 
they  had  sneaked  away  his  pillow,  which  it  was  a  wbiskey-bottk— ik>  offieooai:- 
ttaM  1     No,  no  singing." 

"  It  sounded  like  church-music — a  hymn." 

"Church  moosic?  You  must  'a  been  on  the  dream,  sartin  sure.  'Sid*.% 
thar  are  Injins  squandiin'  round  hyar,  a  right  few,  say  a  leeile  less  than  a 
thousand  ton,  over  an'  above  the  band  you  mentioaed.  This  is  a  hard  season 
for  ths  redskin,  and  he's  coma  up  here  to  warm  himself  at  the  Fire  Hole,  I 
reckon.  The  only  singer  we  hev  is  one  young  lady  about  your  age,  and  she 
only  sings  to  herself  in  Mexican  lingo." 

"A  young  lady,"  repeated  Ulla,  so  newhat  reassured.  "At  least,  I  see,  you 
Stfc  not  friends  of  the  savages." 

"  No ;  we  are  our  own  friends  I"  returned  the  old  roan,  grinning  aga^n, 
"  and,  individooally,  our  friends  is  in  our  belt,''  slapping  his  piitol  and  bis  knife 
(IB  he  spoke, 

"  And  will  your  captain  help  rne  to  learn  the  fate  of  my  poor  father,  and  the 

you'll 
little  feet 

getting  over  this  crust.'    It's  not  many  miles,  but  the  milestones  are  pnsky  far 
apart  in  this  country." 

"  I  would  prefer  to  walk." 

"That's  downright  onposable.  Sol  Garrod  hyar*?  got  fi  foot  lik«  an  army 
cartridge  box  lid  ;  but  even  he  would  mire  himself  to  the  kneM." 

"So!  Garrods  foot  can  take  care  of  itself,  and  you  sit  down  with  your 
opinions,  unless  you  want  to  appreciate  the  beauties  of  it  in  kicki'i;  1"  growled 
the  subject  of  the  criticism. 

"  When  a  gentleman  talks  about  kicking,"  r«tu,.ied  the  second  man,  hitherto 
content  to  ogie  the  girl  in  silence,  '  he  is  to  know  that  '  Niobraska  Pete '  is  the 
champion  kicker  of  the  wide,  wild  West,  and  hyr  •'«  my  «">  'n  the  corr»'  — — " 

"  Close  up  I "  thundered  the  eldest  of  the  three,  so  very  jjarrulous  himself, 
bnt  not  willing  for  the  ''.herr  to  entertain  »He  '•  'irtunate  girl  with  th«r 
eloquence  j  "  you  have  a  mouth  like  a  set  beaver-trap  i  What's  lie  drift  of  this 
stupid  row?  It's  no  -^  stringing  it  out,  I  tell "  ?1  We've  enou(?h  to  take  the 
back  track  upon,  ',/har'  do  'ee  think  you  are  ?  Haven't  we  better  things  to  do 
than  go  popping  p:stoU  off  when  the  rocks  swaim  witli  redskins  who  have 
made  a  raise?  "  and,  aathe  pair  Ci^ntinued  to  glower  at  each  other,  their  bai^v^s 
on  their  weapons,  he  went  on:  "  Mu^st  L  knock  you  both  down  to  lam  yoa 
manners  f    Don't  you  see  we  must  cage  this  frightened  bird,  and  then  clult  up 


■1 


4] 


Th  Hasiilt  Hands. 


57 


our  o'dl 
pnrdnership.  She'it 
r  re  the  kind  to  bi 
the  ride,  a  'greeabia 
queen  o'  hearts  I" 

1  not  treat  the  boys 
nuts  ;  y«»,  that's  my 
The  cap's  a  oetitle- 
tain  «esjrou." 

png  I  bwrd  in  th« 

camp.  Stop  a  bit, 
uarry  Dick,  because 
•bottle— no  offence, 


lartin  sure.  'Side.% 
leelle  less  than  a 
IS  is  a  hard  season 
:  at  the  Fire  Hole,  I 
It  your  age,  and  she 

At  least,  I  see,  you 

an,   grinning  again, 
piitol  and  bis  kaife 

poor  father,  and  the 
Msacre  9" 

ike  yours.  If  you'll 
ty  of  your  little  feet 
»tones  are  pnsky  far 


!*  foot  like  aa  army 

nees." 

sit  down  with  your 
I  kickii.i;l"  growled 

second  man,  hitherto 
iobraska  Pete '  is  the 
V  'n  the  cort»'  — —" 
y  garrulous  himself, 
nate  girl  with  their 
hat's  Jte  drift  of  this 
e  enough  to  take  the 
e  better  things  to  do 
redskins  who  have 
ch  otJier,  their  bat^us 
i\  down  to  l^m  you 
rd,  and  theodutt  up 


some  of  the  boys  to  see  what  the  reds  have  left  worth  picking  at  the  wreei 
I'.ie  sporting  swell  f  Girterally  these  green  '  galootd '  yield  up  rich,  and  those  i 


wreCif  0' 
zed 
idiots  leave  the  best  e<iods  as  beyond  their  comprehension.     Look  at  the  gal 
trembling!  what  on  outh  must  she  think  of  your  broughteiu  up  f" 

"  I  am  treinbling  nitb  cold,  not  with  apprehension,"  said  Misa  MacUw, 
resolulelv. 

"  Oh,  hang  her  opinion ;  she's  bright  eyct,  and  she  sett  we  are  all  rogues  I " 
Mr.  Garrod  observed  carelessly. 

"  Dont  you  paint  us  so  black,  Sol,"  returned  the  old  man,  winking ;  "  the 
fact  is,  we  only  obey  orde,«  under  our  chief.  If  thar  be  any  blante  flying  about, 
it  must  fail  C.I  the  captain.  When  we  hand  the  young  lady  over  to  the  exccu> 
tive,  I  shafi  wash  my  hands  of  it,  as  she  was  a-dolnj;  when  we  surprised  her ; 
and  I  advise  you  to  do  the  same  for  your  sweet  conscience  I  " 

"  You  talk  like  an  Injin  orator,  Mr.  Cormick,"  said  Sol  Garrod  i  "  if  e-  r  wo 
are  pot  in  the  wrong  box— ha,  ha  I — 1  shall  let  you  conduct  my  defence  !  " 

"  Come  on,  Miss,"  said  Niobraska  Pete ;  "  in  the  meantime,  them's  the 
two  wust-eddicated  brutes  in  the  band,  and  no  average  specimen  idiots !  " 

They  had  three  horses  in  hiding,  and  the  'capture'  was  lifted  upon  one 
behind  Cormick,  whom  she  was  obliged  to  enda^tp,  spite  of  her  loathing,  to 
save  herself  from  falling.  They  rattkd  off  at  a  guud  pace  as  long  as  the  isoil 
was  bare  and  stony,,  They  soon  had  to  traverse  one  of  those  narrow  vales 
between  a  couple  of  rocky  "  divides,"  which  are  commonly  halved  themselves 
by  a  more  or  less  broad  ribbon  of  water,  and  which  terminate  in  a  basin,  a 
series  of  steps,  or  a  "  cut-off."  The  riders  were  about  to  scramble  down  the 
ravine  which  yawned,  in  this  case,  to  appal  less  venturesome  cavaliers,  when 
Cormick  ordered  a  pulling-up. 

"  1  want  to  look  a-head,  that's  all,"  he  said ;  "  maybe,  it's  a  fool-feeling;  but 
we  have  been  trotting  along  a  leetle  too  smoothly  fur  Injin  country,  and  too 
much  quiet  I  reckon  suspicious." 

"  Some  joke  o'  your'n,  to  let  our  coffee  and  com  cakes  git  cold  I "  sneered 
Ptete. 

"  Say  what  ycu  tiket  but  let's  have  one  of  you  scout  up  that  hole." 

"  Very  good,  Cormick,"  said  Garrod,  tranquilly ;  "  it  s  my  turn.  I'll  htiag 
you  bacic  the  nigger's  top-feat  her  I " 

"With  his  hair,  too,  my  boy;  but  caution  ;  caution  never  costs  too  much, 
and  it's  a  wise  man  that  wakes  up  to-morrow  morning,  as  the  Spanish  say." 

"Oh,  dry  up,  Cormick,"  tried  Sol,  impatiently  reining-in,  after  starting. 
"  Do  vou  nJlly  t.iink  the  red  devils  would  browse  so  near  our  camp  t" 

"  ^f(>t  1,  my  lad ;  only  I  repeat,  yon  cannut  poke  the  biuhes  with  too  mttch 
prudence." 

Garrod  scrutinised  the  speaker's  surly  and  scowling  countenance  with  a 
puzzled  expression ;  but  he  must  have  been  encouraged,  for  he  pushed  his  horse 
onwards  and  down,  with  a  snatdf  of  a  negro  dtti-.'e  tune  bummed  between  his 
teeth,  and  a  chew  of  tobacco.  ^ 

"  He's  pretty  much  a  daring  chap,"  said  Pete,  with  a  mocking  glaoca  at  hb 
companion  as  they  slowly  proceeded, 

"  Ay,  ay,  he  does  nOt  go  to  market  to  sell  courage  with  an  emp'y  basket," 
replied  the  chief  scout,  with  a  dubious  grin ;  "  but  I  prefer  his  sitowing  the  leaJd 
to  this  child." 

Meanwhile  Garrod  had  been  spurred  by  tbe  tatter's  air  and  tone  into  taking 
the  precautions  indispensable  on  ground  <!own  with  hostilities.  His  repugnance 
grew  as  he  dived  into  the  defile,  though  it  was  ample  for  cavalry  to  have  ridden 
two  ahtca««    Th«  sidea  were  wooded  with  pi^^etad  jundM^Uy  climbed  to  ». 


The  tied  River  Ha(f  Bretd. 


ttkir  M^.  Th«  iiilYmbir«r  rode  mora  Md  WMC  tealtatfaH^,  lashing  sbovt 
Mtn  on  each  hand,  and  a*  weM  bfthind  iti  beCwe,  hit  tifl*  fwi^  to  (ira.  Bn^  ib« 
complete  calmnesi  of  the  nnti^odden  wind-trap  enodted  hi*  httn.  The  gorra 
had  tnanjr  an  awkward  turn ;  but  nothing  inimical  a^pvarad  anywhere  till  tha 
r)der  came  clear  out  on  th:  edge  o(  a  plain,  acrocu  which  a  darlog  smolte  adver- 
tised the  site  of  his  camp — one  that  defied  attack,  no  doubt ;  for  the  woU  kaamn 
lili  bones  are  not  worth  the  picking. 

"  What  traah  I  "  he  mutterwl,  reining-in  testily.  "  Old  Comiek  -  ttmky 

fit,  or  -  si-k  with  too  much  alkali  water  in  his  wliisky.     Tie>ta»  tak  lav* 

•een  m^thing  to  make  a  flying  tqiiirrei  chatter  I  We  might  iMve  ^i  eamp 

by  this,  where  a  darned  good  breakfaat  ia  about  ready.  Haag  the  old  acarad 
crow  I " 

Perfectly  reassured,  bat  >HII  gmmbling,  Solomoi.— without  the  wisdom  of  Ma 
namesake — laid  his  rifU.  across  his  saddle-bow,  nnd  slowly  bagan  to  ratrace  hie 
steps.  But  haritr  had  he  gone  fifty  strides,  when  hia  horie*!  ears  were  tnm- 
bliiig,  and  the  animal  pointed,  like  a.  dog,  at  the  head  of  tn  Indian,  smeared 
with  red  clay  and  covered  with  feathen,  which  arose  in  th>;  thicket,  instantly 
a  rude  rope  of  ba>k  f.bre  was  cist  over  the  horseman's  hea  and  he  ^an  pulled, 
half  •strangled,  out  of  the  saddle,  and  dadied  on  the  groumJ  -i  the  partly-tnnwed 
(nad  and  snow.  '1  his  done,  a  man  leaped  at  the  horse,  and  secured  it  before  it 
could  turn  away  ;  when,  no  doubt,  it  would  have  npioded  the  gnn  amiast  tha 
trees  in  its  flight.  The  aasai'ant  was  only  a  red  man  in  look* — it  waa  Sir  Ardiie 
M'.clan's  secretary.  Thus  far  had  he  wandered,  when  he  perceived  from  tha 
wiiidtrap,  where  he  was  bewildered,  the  chief  object  of  his  search.  One  glance 
at  the  ruiSans,  who  afK^ed  to  befriend  her,  had  enlightened  him  on  their 
s'.anding. 

Mr.  Ranald  Dearborn  wai  no  fool,  if  he  had  not  enjoyed  prolonged  aeqnain- 
tance  with  this  region.  The  love  ^;r- woodcraft  haa  enlisted  him  under  the 
rich  Scotchman's  biinuer,  almost  aa  niuc'i  M  hia  great,  though  sodden,  admita> 
tion  for  his  daughter. 

For  adventure,  he  had  certainly  a  strong  bitter  taste  at  the  out-  ind  what 

immediately  ensued  bid  fair  to  m  wurthy  that  sample  in  peril. 

Ensconced  by  the  path,  La  had  aciznl  an  excellent  nonler  rthrow 

Mr.  Qarrod. 


CHAPTER  VJL 

««KBOiiitn  WLL  nMti»vntti9. 

firiLi  upon  the  youAi^  fin^ishman  were  (he  rags  which  ha^i  been  takeii  from 
the  dead  Indian  for  the  need  of  warmth.  These  b«  wat  gliMl  to  cast  off,  don- 
ning  in  their  stead,  as  a  shade  less  repulsive,  the  outer  garments  Of  the  senaetess 
scout. 

He  dragged  him  out  of  the  <W3y.  He  mounted  the  horK:  and,  filied  with  his 
idfea  of  separating  the  two  remainingf  bandits  !H)  as  to  have  a  singte^haaded 
battld  !q  the  ood  lor  vhe  young  lady,  ha  rr3turA»i  towards  the  friimai  amtaidag 


dmokte  liiU  Stttrm^mg. 


»9 


mm  «8  ftr*.  w*  tk« 
li  mrt.  The  sorg* 
r«i  anywhere  tiU  tne 
4tfUg  sinoke  adver- 
: ;  for  the  wot!  Laowa 

ormiok  '  ~  -rwikjr 
UM  tak  >av« 

H  kava  ^(  camp 

Hamg  thn  old  scared 

ottt  tilt  wisdom  o(  Ms 
r  bMao  to  r^nice  his 
n-se's  eara  were  tma- 

afl  Indian,  smeared 
he  tliicket.     Icstantly 

,  and  he  'tras  pulled, 

n  the  partiy-tnawed 
\iX  secured  it  More  it 

the  gun  aniast  the 
klnt—it  was  Skt  Archie 
•eiwrceired  from  the 
I  MMCh.  One  glance 
j^bteaed  him  on  their 

ed  prolongsd  aicqaain* 
rtlisted  him  ander  the 
tough  Mdden,  admira- 


;  the  ou> 

peril. 

nomer 


nd  what 
rthro«r 


I  YaA  been  tekM  from 

gliid  to  cart  off,  d(w- 

jrmeats  Of  tbe  seoselow 

^na  and,  iilied  with  his 

have  a  single-haaded 

(b  tbe  ixiaaat  awaiting 


1 


Gart-od's  report.     Thty  I  td 


to  a  Ml  half  w*7  dow*  the  abtujpt  slope. 


As  soon  as  he  b>iheld  the  ,.,  Ramrfd  wived  Sol's  cap  to  beckon  them  to  ooia* 
on.  The  distance  between,  the  gioe..i  in  thn  Jr^ie,  and  the  welUreiri'-rinbered 
garments  and  horse,  sttlReed  to  destroy  wxpicioa  ia  aay  bat  Cormiclc. 

"  Thar  vou  are,"  said  Pete,  latigning  ii.  ttlief,  though  be  could  not' descry  the 
features  of  the  horseman  ;  "  ar^i  Sol  l>ecko&iug  us  on— h«  haac't  beea  no  time 
scouting  tbo  cbsinnel." 

"  He's  b««i  mndk  too  quick,"  objected  Cormick,  itulki  7. 

"  Well,  aren't  you  coming  on  f  What's  the  matter  f  Does  your  tayutt  kick 
.nt  so  little  an  added  load  aa  the  young  gal  r  TeU  '••  what,  I'll  h«  pMwi  t* 
have  the  charge  of  her  1  " 

The  old  ranger  iriiootc  bis  boad  dubiously. 

••  Are  Tou  sure  that's  Sol  i  " 

"  Am  t  oare  of  my  being  in  my  boots  f    WhiU  new  'ikaeter's  bit  y«»M 

"  'Seexis  to  this  old  man  Hitit  Garrod  balks  up  fawger  in  tbe  saddle.'' 

"  Si)  he  will  after  the  breakfast  wc  are  all  sp'iling  for.  Let  out  your  poMf"— 
doc/t  ycu  see  he  is  waving  bis  band  that  all's  clear  f" 

"  Why  don't  he  come  Back  aH  Oka  way,  theu  f  " 

"  Be.cause  he's  no  such  ass  ss  to  want  double  trouble.  You'd  tire  out  a  Salt 
Lake  Saint,  Cormid:,  yon  would  I  Carefulness  is  the  first  thing  to  put  in  your 
bag  when  you  come  out  on  the  plaini,  but  you  don't  want  to  havo  carf  .neas  as 
pepper  mmi  salt  mnd  sugar  in  ail  your  messes,  atom,  noon  and  night ;  and 
Thanksgiving,  and  New  Year's,  atul  Independence  Day  I  Why,  oW  father, 
you're  fc'  "ing  skeered  o'  your  sbadder— which  it  ar'  no  Beauty  00  the  snow,  by 
thunder  I  Here,  I've  had  my  full  measure  of  this  hanging  bade  from  breakfast, 
and  if  youfreese  thar,  I  folter  the  thaw  and  let  Sol  carry  me  into  camp." 

"  Go  on,  tbiMi  I  "  replied  Cormi«;k.  '*  I  tell  'uethar's  sooae  t?  'ment  awake 
afoi      us  this  morning!  and  that's  tK>t  Sol  Garrod  drawinv  irto  a  trap. 

He's  a  bad  egg,  but  he  wasn't  made  to  tbrow  at  a  paiiner's  You'll  see, 

you'll  see  I " 

"  Eggs  or  no  eegs,  I  »m  going  on  I  follow  at  your  own  pace !  But  mind  I  if 
you  C'ailop  off  with  the  yovng  gal,  in  whose  ransovs  I  faavs  my  ahara  as  the 
fellow-finder,  ft!  report  you  to  Captain  Kidd— «od  you'll  not  ba  mla  this  side 
o' the  Jordan." 

In  very  open  order  they  resumed  the  march.  Hieeavsr  -  naied  on  wny  as 
th«v  started,  stride  for  stride. 

*^  Look  St  that  I "  cried  Cormick.  triumpbaatiy  {   "  SM  bii    ride  awajr." 

"  Why  should  he  not  ride  on  ie  front  of  us,  and  keep  tiic  way  dear  f  M* 
know's  the  picket's  duty — a  dragoon  oesener,  anyh»."w,  he'd  ought  to." 

Still  wrangling,  they  penetrated  the  defile,  wliero  N^tbraska  Pete  taunted  his 
elder  to  press  on.  At  a  third  of  the  course,  nothing  }(b.*ified  Cormick's  appre- 
hen*ions. 

"  So!  has  got  out  of  the  vay  «]tov;ether  now,  tiiongh,"  be  ren.:<astntfid. 

"  Pooh  1  he  has  darted  on  to  tell  cook  to  dish  up,  that's  all." 

**  Well,  !  shan't  be  satisfied  till  I  have  had  the  first  mouthful  down,"  said  dw 
old  man,  with  &  still  uneasy  loo't  around. 

Presently  he  pulled  up  his  horse,  saying  that  he  was  in  n  good  spot  for  de- 
fence ;  the  rising  ground  oTer  a  bulging  root  of  a  large  eedar  crosaiag  tbe  - 
narrowing.p&th. 

*'  You  go  on  and  give  the  call  if  all  goes  well  »nd  it  is  no  bogus  S<rf,"  said 
he.     "  Here  I  stay  till  the  way  is  safe  to  my  bdief." 

"  He's  stubborn  as  a  mole,"  mutteii  d  Pete.  "A  stamp-crusher  would  not 
sbtke  hiu.    Old  man,"  he  said,  sngri.ly,  "  I  shall  git  on,  and  tell  the  captain 


M9!fSB.'-M^F',''  0T,1l^snKW9'i»Wimn 


fare -jp  to  some  Mck  as  tefpkvli  iht  young  lady.  Don'f  you  fear,  though, 
rtiiss,  the  cap* ail.  Will  stew  hitn  Hk'.!  fc  lish  in  the  kett)«  if  he  plays  any  tricks  on 
the  fail-  prixe  of  the  band  voprese'ited  by  its  three  sciiutcrs  in  company." 

With  that  he  disappeared  in  tbe  tortit  cleft,  and  th«  snowy  crust  ceased  f} 
cntckin  under  his  Jiorse's  hoofs. 

The  stillness  b'jcame  oppresrive,  broken  only  by  the  swishing  of  the  brandies 
suddenly  reUeved  of  snowy  bui-dens  by  the  effect  c'  the  sitnbeatns  and  sprinnin^j 
up  gaily.  ^.11  th^  leasts  were  hibematiiig  or  asieep ;  a'!  the  birds  f;une  louth 
eiicept  fhe  Aeti';  robins  and  the  sedately>soaring  -SBgles,  whose  white  heads 
seemed  frosted  -  Ad  pr«sfnted  to  the  sun  to  be  frwd  of  the  ciiill. 

Expectation  "f.-ighed  a?  poicnantly  upon  the  unfortunate  girl  as  on  the  old 
border  fiifR.-in.  3nse.i«biv  yielding  to  tne  i'mxti  to  battle  anxiety  with  even 
fu'ile  action,  he  was  slowly  pushing  on  his  V.vtx  when  a  peculiar  sound  at  last 
in  adv/ihce  caused  him  to  check  it.  W'.tbin  n  fe^  seconds,  the  horse  of  Nio" 
br«uilai  Pet«  came  back  to  its  companion,  with  no  thought  but  refuge  from  some 
itartiing  horror.  Pete  had  not  raised  an  alarm;  ccuseqwntly  that  smear  of 
blood  on  the  mane  denoted  trAthnht^i  Vien  unhorsed  by  a  deathblow.  Nor  did 
Soi,  nor  his  mysterious  personator,  nppoar,  and  Cotsnick  felt  assured  that  he 
,  i»r>i"  icjft  alone,  an.i  that  foes  were  pl»n«ed  between  him  and  the  camp,  of  whidi 
?lra08t  inhaled  the  s.wory  fumes.  Tht- situation  was  maddening. 
■  yoi  arc  bad  luck,"  he  snwled  at  the  girl,  wi^h  the  superstition  of  the  low 
of  white  men,  vho  soon  equal  the  rc'<n  m  such  fanci;2s.  "  U  has  cost  two 
■^^'•i''!  men's  lives  just  to  hare  laet  yois." 

He  iffaited  a  while  longer,  but  ttiere  *\s  no  fresh  aianri. 
"  Hftrk  ye,"  said  be,  roughly.     "  I  am  goivg  to  pnt  you  t^n  that  horse,  fcnd 
*  we  mnst  circle  ro«.ad  oat  of  this  accursed  glade.     If  you  try  to  '  p«rt  co.'  I 
I  s.tail  shoot  you  with  my  iirst  shot.    .!t  strikes  .ine,  from  the  way  that  we  have 
iVii^fit,  It  is  because  of  you.,  and  hence  yja  aire  wos-th  as  much  money  as 
id  cjodudsd  from  your  story ;  but  ihor's  nc  calculating  on  what  anybody 
f  nowadays," 
^3  he  drew  the  riderless  dteed  towards  hin^,  nod  tri«d  to  make  it  sidle  up 
pfc  t!0  flank,  Its  "An  were  moved  it.  affright.    It  sniffoct  wn^  stiarming  taint 
'ha  a'r,  and  set  up  so  f-irious  iv  fcickipg  that  the  headgear  was  detached, 
left  in  the  astonished  baiv^it's  grasp.     Then,  emitting  a  scream  like  a 
||1t&tl^ve^  wbrhorse  or:  the  battle  fioiil,  it  dashed  kit*   the  first  openlc^,  and 
'C!»fc'jh«d  cri  out  of  aK  perception. 

I^  3meK«  tlie  wrur-paint,  by  ail  that's  cruel  I    Injin^  t"  muttered  Ccrraick. 

t'l-Vflte  «hy  did  I  he^.r  an  whooiM  wb^n  they  made  their  '  coops '  on  Sol  and 

V?" 

the  same  ins>anj,  as  if  to  warrant  hit,  reHer'aon,   &  iribratiDg  yfil  of 

^limph  biin.t  forth  so  dearly  as  to  seem  «t  their  «ib<>wft^~e.  wnr-whoop  of 

'  w>'ich  Comjick  had  never  hsird  tlie  like.     It  wa«  so  provocatory  in  tone  that, 

irresistibly,  at  least  a  kuudred  savege  c<'.»>  ituswered  it  inquinngly  from  alt 

p&rts  of  tn.i  r^ivine  *raver»e,f  by  the  buidils. 

''Why,  \t's  a  nest  of  thfro?;"  groantid  ihe  old  scoundrel,  aghast,  and  only 
raechatticaliy  rfestraiifng  his  plunging  ^.eed. 

In  the  lull  which  foltowed-— ^infuT  by  conkrasi  with  that  hideous  cbuaour— 
a  hortittijaci   da'ibed    into  the  ^Inn  and  faced   tiie  parai/aed    sco'it.      Xha 
iias  WW*  of  So'  Ganodj    but  at  the  cry  of  "  Oli,  Mr.   Dearl?3rB ;  you  t 
h«lp T'  from  'lis  ,<a<Mre-compaQio<i,  Cormauk  was  relieved  o,  any  d^^H 
his  prcvioua  lunTiiso  of  a  dwrcption 
''  <fth,  ah,"  £T«ui>.ed  he,  "  hot.  I  kno*  why  he  never  ■ 
^'fiih  «Ae  mmt  %sd  a^9«.jr  whito  only  before  bim, 


I'ei  Hid  Ret 


Dou'i  you  fear,  though, 
'  he  f  lays  any  tricks  on 
rs  in  company." 
snowy  crust  ceased  to 

'isbing  of  the  branctiea 
itnbc&tns  and  sprinsinij 
the  birds  puiie  louth 
ies,  whose  white  be&ds 
he  cliiU. 

?.w.  glr)  as  on  the  old 
ttie  anxiety  with  even 
peculiar  sound  at  last 
■onds,  the  horse  of  Nio" 
ht  but  refuge  frotn  some 
equtntly  that  &mear  of 
i  a.  deathblow.  Nor  did 
ck  (cit  assured  that  he 
and  the  camp,  of  which 
I  maddening. 
i  superstition  of  the  \om 
Dcics.     "  It  has  coat  two 

.ri. 

you  i.n  that  horse,  and 
you  try  to  '  ptrt  co*  i 
m  the  way  that  we  have 
'o/Ah  »s,  much  money  as 
ilating  on  wliat  anybody 

vjd  to  make  it  sEdle  up 

feci  JOTT^  alarming  taint 
headgftsr  was  detached, 

niitting  a  scream  like  a 
the  nrst  opening,  and 

net"  mtittered  CornaJck. 
^lesr  '  coops'  on  Soi  anci 

on,  &  vlbratitig  y^X  tk 
jibows*-a.  vrnT'whoop  ol 
^revocatory  in  tone  th4\t, 
a  U  inquiringly  from  ait 

Mdrel,  «ghast,  am]  tsxA^ 

that  hideous  claajoar— 
paralysei*  scout.  Xh« 
11,  Mr.  Bearffsrat^oul 
IS  relieved  o^  any 

am»  back  " 

,  he  me&fimA  i\ 


of  his  homtcldi!  wquiiwB*^,  and  W«  «»n^ wA  tii«v»«Mii4- l»d  i»«t«h«J 
from  the  burial-place  were  levelled  at  each  other.     .  .,        j  „  r.    ft 

"Don't  fiwl"  rpi-ijledUlla,  though  not  .n  fenr  for  herself,  and  Don  t 
fire  !"  cried  a  louder  and  m.in!y  voice,  as  an  additional  ]!>ersocage  for  th«  group 
leaped  down  from  a  rock  and  fell  besii  ,e  the  restless  horse.  j-  ,    u  j 

How  it  reared  at  this  unannounced  apjjarition  I  Fhat  reanag  disturbed 
Cormick's  aim,  An<i  whMst  his  shot  }>as?-d  abovu  Dearborn's  head,  that  pf  the 
latter  buned  itself  in  his  gr^in.  aftrir  scarring  the  horses  neck.  The  new. 
comer  seized  the  brijle,  and  shook  off  the  wounded  man,  wbllit  HMUd 
"ladly  received  the  h»l.'-swooning  l*dy. 

'•  What  the  thunder  did  you  fire  for  ?"  demanded  be,  imgnly.  ,,  .    .    . 

The  vc  g  people  starecl  «.t  him  ih  surprise.  He  spoke  perfect  F.n^Hah,  out, 
we  kr>«,  OeeroScee  Bill  as  perfectly  resembled  a  full-biooded  Indian  wnca 
animated  with  ferocity.  Besides,  his  bufiaic  robe  was  tucked  up  into  his  belt 
to  leave  his  legs  free,  and  a  ruddy  si'alp  dangled  in  a  tjck  of  it.  „~  «, 

"  A  dog  of  a  Cmw  I"  he  explained,  seeing  that  it  caui-.ht  their  eyes.  ««  B 
beg  no  more  powder  and  ball  at  the  Agency  to  shoot  the  two-legjf{ed  bumio 
in 'Store '-clothes,  that  the  wise  style  a/rrtA  from  thv  States."  •     ■ 

Perplexed  by  this  singular  speech,  so  unl:ke  either  an  Indian's  or  a  white 
man'sT  ih»  yoiiug  people  h&d  immediately  turned  their  offended  eyes  aloof. 
Ulla  must  have  believed  she  was  saved  on  ascertaining  that  Dearborts  had 
never  relaxed  his  endeavonni  to  come  up  with  her  and  her  captors.  She 
lauRhed  and  sobbel  hysterically  like  or.e  fcrok«ed  from  a  nightmare  and 
cxcLisively  delightei^ ;  it  was  but  a  play  of  fancy.  Alas  I  th«re  waa  to  ue 
ancthor  waking,  and  that  not  long  delayefj.  ...,,..         ,     i.L  , . 

SuddiBly  the  Cherokee's^  us-iA  was  Ir.id  u^n  the  SngUshaun's  al|iM2]di;r, 

*"'•  8ptK»,  sir  I  that  horse  must  hive  cantered  into  the  ^Id-seekers'  iaaq^ 
they  are  already  in  the  ravine  "  '"^ 

•' Cold-seekers  f"  ..     ,_.„,„.„.  ,.     .„ 

"  Robbers,  thieves,  atsd  all  th«t !"  exp'atned  Bill  Wilha:n«,  hwtily. 
is  BO  safety  for  you  that  way.  On  the  other  hand,  tliere  are  t«e  Ck»w» -«-four- 
score  at  least.  J  have  be«n  cwnting  their  noses,  so  nca.  that  I  couhl  haw 
killed  more  than  that  one  decently." 


"Oh,  what  must  w»  do?"  ejaculated  Miss  Macl.n  ^    » 

"  The  lady  auks  you  what'll  we  best  do  ?"  repeated  the  halif-brfted  sarcastically, 
eyeing  the  young  man  as  if  to  "  value  him  up.' 
••  Cut  our  way  through  them  I" 


hu 

1 

lady,  I 
"  1  dare  1"  said  Dlla  simply. 

But  Dearborn  shuddered  at  the  Idea,    ,,        .  .      « 

'•  Take  he.-,  mwi !     I  wiil  tn;i*t  you,"  »a?d  he,  "  straagtr  thuugh  you  ai».  in  ali 

senses  of  the  wort! ;  and  leave  me  to  detain  them  from  pa  instaat  punwit,"- 
"  Oh,  they  liave  their  own  roasting  pieces  to  spit,'"  said  Bill.  , 

"  Vkhat  ii  your  advice,  sir  ?    Your  tone  is  that  A  a  comtnaaeJer  here,    ) 

Ulla.  retarding  the  Cherokee  steadily  as  he  bow  himself  nobly  erect  a*id  una 

f«B<p '  t*  ougW7bsiterthan  eitlier,  be  estimated  the  dangers  «>f  the  situ&tior  ar.gi,it, 
"       lir  in  the  hands  of  these  roW>ers  you  will  run  no  risk  for  tljc  pSoSeat, 

whilM  1  guarantee  this  man's  safety  ii  ««  but  t««ch  a  ccwiun  yointoo  t!»»ft 

horses." 


"VJ&^iMWvitaar^w 


;^>r^^*^*---^" 


ii'ed  Ritisr  HalfSmd. 


"  I  flf«,  And  nimftStrii  tlw  la%  into  ifa*  powetoi  i^m^Uihin  m^  i    tio  sucTi 

"  Coward,  when  I  want  you  to  run  the  douhia  gauntlet  of  Indtast  attd  des> 
peradr/«»  I  1  dt^nt  se«  t)fhkt  sha  could  d«ipis<»  you  foe.  Hark !  they  coine  om 
both  aides — stealthily,  but  1  hear  thcHi !  The  voong  woman  canniot  a<woin^Hy 
tne  wlioi«  1  wMt  lMd->-»t«  w«  ail  t»  b*  mtmeiif  cnmoled  Vf,  er  til  to  be 
auv^dP"  •  ' 

''  Go  !-*  3»d  Uiia !  *'  who  wiU  mw  vm  U  yum  smthmt^  te  a  voice  incnt  5jk 
Z)«Aii>dtn'9  «sr  alone. 

But  the  Cherokee  overheard  her,  «n'' '  ttantly  subjoisod  3 

*'  Yca're  the  queien>tr«iup !  f  ha7»  .viewed  to  heifk  yv9tt  ta  this  stnttt  bftcauK 
y^  ate  white,  and  your  enet.iiea  are  dogs  !  But  nov*,  Mitiie  soul  of  my  fathers ! 
8ii|i^aed  to  be  chasing  the  phantoiG  butfaU)  in  f'  lial  Kftkn  which  those 
utountain-tops  support~I  swear  to  saveyoa  from  .^eUi)Ai  eteir,  or  my  honea 
shall  swing  in  the  hangraan's  loop  i" 

"  I  hfcar  yoo,  beli«ve  you,  and  I  thank  ^11  f  eacla'.nwJ  Miss  Madan,  forcing 
a  smrtc  throiigh  tecrs.  "  but  our  enemies  come!  Hasten  away,  in  Heaver.V 
name  I  Dearixtni,  w*  tSielll  atlMt  agMn  andar  that  hts«v»>,  or  wttfiin  'M  goldem 
gates  1" 

She  threw  i.im  a  Vtss  wklb  a  {HrdMneaof^yfolcen,  and  bouadad  atmjr  in  ti>« 
direction  of  the  ;^in,  crying  i  •  > 

*'  Do  not  shoot  I    It  is  only  a  woman  I    I  aHrfendec  i" 

At  the  same  time  Cherokee  Bill  leaped  on  the  free  horse  onvr  the  tail  051, 
i  fjttdienfi,  and  catching  the  other  reins,  plunged  inlothe  thicket,  bidding  the. 
Hn^ishinan  bend  low  to  elude  thorns  and  missiles,  and  heedless  of  his  reproaches, 
la  Hieif  rapid  o^^rse,  it  seemed  t©  the  latter  ^»*t  he  saw  groups  and  pairs  <•£ 
srappHng  men  plying  clubs  and  knives,  but  no  repoits  of  firssarms  cracked  the 
icicies  oS  tlie  bougV^s^  Eacfc  (x>ntMiiag  Mi)?  siowMJl  a  respectful  ditii|^  to 
bringing  on  a  rcguiav  engagement. 

*•  What's  your  hotse  good  for  still  ?"  queried  the  Half-breed  io  «  whiter. 

*•  Five  or  sJx  wicistas  more  at  this  headlong  pace," 

"  We  arct  aeAring  an  ambtish,  through  whkb  ve  BUMi.  dwiM  «w  <n^.  i>o 
no  lass  t1»an  I  ^o,  and  we  shall  be  wwe  l" 

"  With  heavei!  my  aid,  I  shall  do  more  \" 

The  H  ^U'-btAcd  found  a  broad  way  by  a  ailfadeof  lm9wJe«^>  and  faultkaa 
app]i«a^  ■*. 

"  To  tht  right — wheel  to  the  rightl'*  v<oci£srated  he  abruptly,  »•)  half-a-doxen 
arrows  and  a  %ht  spear  or  two  wnia»ed  under  the  noses  of  the  suddeniy-taraad 
bcfses.  , 

**  iUde  them  down  1    Kow!    Harrahl"  ^ 

"  Hurrah  i"  cried  Dcarborsiv  firing  a  shot  «i;.d  hurling  Ws  gun  i»  hta  fraiuty  at 
the  row  <rf  dai>i  fac«s  that  gdnacd  with  flaming  eyes  like  a  wall  before  him. 

Few  vntn.  except  with  a  lon^i;  spear,  can  steadily  receive  eavairy.  Only  one 
Indian  r«taily  awaited  the  fingtish  youth  on  his  i\pp(OMh ;  hit)  laaee  "napped  in 
in  the  hwrse'a  chest.  It  im  on  him,  enclosing  tarn  between  the  forelegs. 
Dearborn  was  dismounted ;  bnt  Bill  was  before  hkn^  on  the  ground,  steadied, 
hvm  as  he  rose,  put  a  revolver  In  his  hand,  and  bade  bin)  fire  "  low  said  fast," 
T^ey  had  passed  through  the  ami:iCtscade  at  the  ci>st  of  the  two  korpeff,  and  ♦^he 
ten  shots  they  poured  forth  enabM^henii  to  havs  astart  in  their  retreat  or  'oot. 
They  were  speedily  to  a  hollow  ol  the  rtxky  >itluR'«,  where  no  sane  Indian  would 
tc^ow  a«  armed  loe.  Tiie  groi.nd  wes  wauy,  naw  aiingied  with  dry  snow  as 
hafd,aiNd  at  random  ro»e  mtedtw  of  atonti  of  varied  dimooaions,  among' which 
tim  hatf-lndian  tcapper  serenisiy  .breaded  bU  way.    At  tha  foot  of  a  nearly 


^8  oieQ  f    Iho  sad 

of  Indiass  a»4  des* 
[ark!  they  come  ow 

le4  itp,  ei  »U  to  be 


» this  st«aU  bfteauae 

5  soul  of  my  fathers ! 

Kftkn  which  those 

^  snnr,  or  my  h<M>e« 

lbs  Mada»,  forcing 
a  ftvtray,  m  Hisavesi's 
or  within  its  gc^ea 

souadsd  *v&f  in  t&« 


M  o««r  the  tail  n$», 
thicket,  biddinf,'  the- 
ess  of  his  reproaches, 
"topps  and  B»irs  ff 
irrarms  cradfced  the 
respectful  dirii^  to 

ed  in  a  wbl*|K!r. 

mve  4Mir  «n^.    Po 

nJewgjWhd  {au]tk«8 

>t:}]r, «.'(  half-a-doxen 
the  «ttddenSy4umBd 


gun  i»  hta  freiwy  at 
wall  before  hira, 
cavaJry.  Ooiy  owe 
bit)  {«•£«  "napped  in 
tween  the  forelegs, 
be  ground,  steadied. 
ire  "low  and  fast." 
two  korpeff,  and  "-he 
their  retro»t  or  'oot. 
i  sane  Indian  would 
sa  with  dry  snow  as 
isiuns,  among'  which 
km  foot  of  a  nearly 


iOhmikm  Mfl  Re0fm(i.ng>. 


33 


•.  ■■''* 


•»# 


perpendicular  tn«)ui!».  a  the;/w«ne  bfWight  to  a  stan«istJU.    The  fece  Seem«id 

smooth  a»  if  polJs  ^ed  at  first  glance,  but  there  taa  a  ledge,  or  corniw,  as 

Alpine  climbers  C8.1U„aloB2<hat  level  spread.  ...  a-^i>i,„iA 

"  I  sra  now  why  a  w^MM  eovA  not  Uit  accompanied  «s  m  our  flight,  satd 

^*Noryo«  don't  quite,"  replied:  Lill,  dm*,  aa  he  led  the  young  njan  slowly 
upwards  on  this  narrow  footway.  No  quadrupe<5  could  have  mounted,  for  th^ 
men  had  to  proceed  with  their  backs  to  the  wall,  or  face  to  it.  m  the  case  of  the 
incxperiencfJd  Engiishman.  (He  feared  vertigo  if  he  looked  out  or  dowr  on  the 
abysa.)  At  last  the  Jedge  ended  abruptly.  But,  about  breast  h»gH,  the  granite 
was  cracked  horizontaify,  just  wide  enough  for  one's  finger  to  be  hid  m  it. 

"Watch  me,"  said  Bil!,  calmly.  »  If  yon  do  not  think  you  can  follow  me  in 
such  8  spider's  way,  ding  where  you  *re  till  !  bang  a  fr.end  and  a  lasso  that  we 
tT,a>  8win,»  you  over  h«re.  It  was  necessarythat  ws  should  leave  no  traU  those 
dogs  dartTpursue,"  he  added  apologeticaHy.     .,    .  .    ^    ,  ,       .    ,,      ^     , 

"Go  on,''  said  Rftnald,  who  felt  bis  blood  hoil  with  the  detemiination  to  sliow 
this  strange  hybrid  that  he  had,  at  least  the  bravery  of  the  white  race,  if  net  tb« 
athletic  craft  of  tl?e  aborigin.js.  .    . ' .     ^   .      .  ,         m         .      .i* 

Thus  adjured,  the  Cherokee  inserted  his  hands  in  the  prolonged  cwincc,  la* 
his  body  hang  at  the  end  of  his  arms  witii  no  other  hold,  and  gradaalty  work«d 
himself  along  some  twenty  feet.  .   . 

The  watcher  suffered  more  than  he  wHJi  the  Snspense.  After  a  Penod 
seeming  immeasurable,  the  way  was  clearj  the  rock  was  untenanted  save  by  th« 
young  man,  and  he  might  have  believrid  he  was  abandoned  in  this  horrific  site 
by  a  dekding  demon.  Ha  bolted  up  •,  a  thousand  leet  of  granite  framed 
bowing  out  to  fa!!  and  eotonib  him  j  he  looked  outward—miles  of  ether  Jirter- 
vencd  ftctwiast  l.im  and  ths  tops  of  gigantic  trees;  he  looked  down,  )ust  for  aa 
itistant's  fraction,  and  felt  iiis  heart  shrink ;  he  was  some  three  tfeoiisand  feet 
over  a  cup  of  fro^ren  water — a  lake  diminished  thus  by  the  space. 

"  Come  I"  said  the  Cherokee's  voice,  designedly  emotionles*  Siat  h©  Wight 
not  afFect  the  young  man  in  any  way.  .  .  ,      , .       . 

The  tatter  breathed  a  prayer  to  live  for  the  sake  of  the  bt;reaved  daughter  of 
his  patron,  and  steadily  swung  himself  over  the  chasm  by  his  eight  fingers 
Bfone ;  the  thumbs  seemed  useless;  ths  cliff  fell  away  insensibly  beneath  Wm, 
so  that  his  feet  failed  to  touch.    It  was  the  dream  of  a  man-fly  acted  out, 

Finally,  the  e.id  of  the  crack  was  attained.  Here  the  climbsr  without  an 
afe?!4tant  was  a  doomed  man,  imlcss  h-a  could  retreat  as  became — almost  a.n  im. 
IWMibiUty.  But,  on  this  occasion,  Cherokee  Bill  was  wailing,  with  the  loop  of 
ft  ei^tittieffaaianced  rope  In  his  hand;  which  he  !o«M!red  over  ^he  young  man  anc' 
drew  UP  so  as  to  engirdle  bim.  More  than  his  pair  of  arms  were  not  noeded, 
coasifif  fiiig  the  Siits  of  the  boulder  which  weighed  the  farther  end  of  the  cord  j 
hut,  none  the  laiss,  two  other  men  w«rc  hauliug  on  it.  In  li  few  niinut«i«  tise 
yoonff  Kik^  stood  on  the  threshold  et  the  cavern  of  the  Old  Ui^ijvmp-  This 
wa^  the  ORvy  other  way  in.  »   >  .    ,. 

With  9i  e;>rdia5  »«ve  Of  the  hand,  Cherokee  Bill  pre«tttt«d  m  f  ro%e  to  JJbs 
the  Yagi^r  fusd  Mr.  Fildltch. 

"  A  rtcruSt,"  soivl lie,  laconically,  "and  .4  me.'  We  are  going  to  have  som« 
rare  tussles,  right  soon  and  rlt^ht  here ;  but  this  M«Vti  o'  ours  will  keep  up  his 
end  o*  the  board,  loii  dorft  Jou  f6i^  Who  sajfa  80 1" 


■»9''«?'-^.?»'1SW?^ 


w 


34 


The  Red  Sker  Haif- Breed. 


CHAPTER  Vni. 


THB  aOU>-SKABa>U. 


Ths  Cherokee  and  h!s  3roung  friend  had  barely  vanished  from  the  defile  betote 
some  twenty  roen  rushed  in  upon  Miss  Maclan.  They  had  left  her  in  a  growing 
trepidation  lest  she  had  committed  a  ^teat  blunder  in  not  sharing  their  flight. 
The  new  comers  were  ou  horse  and  afoot.  In  thb  rugged  way,  expert  (ootmcn 
could  keep  pace  with  the  riders.  The  principal  was  a  tall,  thin  man,  about  fifty, 
rathe.'  bowed  t!..»n  straight )  his  tawny  hair  fell  in  locks  thickly  upoH  his 
shoulders  in  the  style  of  the  adopters  of  the  Indian  fashion ;  his  face  was  blood- 
less in  the  third  part  not  hidden  by  a  red  beard;  as  a  guard  against  snow* 
bUndness,  he  wore  green  goggles,  which  gave  hina  the  air  of  a  student  or  pro> 
lessor  on  a  mc^t  guileless  scientiBc  enterprise.  Spite  of  this,  h<t  was  tho 
Western  desperado  who  had  tal;en  the  notorious  name  of  "  Captain  Kidd,'*  that 
of  the  most  ferocious  pirate  known  on  the  Atlantic  coast  in  the  i8th  century. 
He  had  already  seen  Sol  Garrpd  inanimate,  and  the  view  of  Old  CormickiA 
much  more  prized  member  of  his  band,  doubled  the  maiignity  of  his  scowl. 
Nevertheless,  he  was  surprised  into  some  courtesy  on  seeing  nobody  but  the 
young  lady,  for  he  removed  his  fur  cap  a  little,  and  faltered : 

"  Who  are  you  ?  This  is  never  your  work,  is  it  ?  "  psointing  to  the  d#4 
bandit,  "  Oh,  1  see,"  he  went  on,  ouickly.  "  The  rogues  quarrelled  over  ths 
plum,  and  they  would  have  deprived  their  captain  of  his  option  to  redeem  i^  «! 
the  band's  estimation." 

"  Siir,"  said  she  haughtily,  "  yOu  are  right  to  call  them  tognn ;  they^w^iised 
no  great  respect  for  me,  and  they  have  been  puajbjied  f or  jt  by  men  who.,  on. the 
contrary,  have  acted  like  honourable  gentlemen." 

"  That  will  do.  This  is  no  tijoae  or  place  for  foch  pages  out  of  the  Book-of 
Elocution !  What  U  it,  my  boys  ?  "  ««  hb  men  returned  quickly  from  the  track 
id  the  horsM. 

An  uproar  In  the  woods,  where  the  flyers  burst  through  the  Indians, 
ftrlisrhtened  them  on  the  danger  of  prosecuting  their  researches  too  far, 

"^  luT  red  brother !  "  he  exclaimed,  jestingly.  '  You'd  better  fall  back  before 
aea  extends  the  tomahawk  of  friendship." 

^*But  the  slayers  of  our  mates  and  Itealers  of  thm  hones  are  not  Indians," 
sdded  'a  scout  who  most  recently  came  in. 

"  Never  mind.  Return  to  cainp.  Neither  in  the  »ky  or  along  the  land  now 
is  the  lookout  serene,  and  we  shall  meet  any  mishap  bsttsr  there.  Two  of  you 
take  cars  of  that  sauce-box.  Hang  me  if  she  b^  not,  though  fair  as  &  lily,a» 
pert  and  disdainful  as  a  Mexican." 

Lighting  a  cig^r,  he  rode  back,  meditatively  smoking,  among  his  sullen  and 
apprehemtve  men,  without  appearing  to  remember  he  had  made  a  prisoner. 

They  ware  not  the  kind  of  characters  to  whom  a  young  lady's  protection 
should  have  been  confided.  On  the  contrary,  their  dissipated  faces,  truculent 
carriage,  and  noisy  talk,  procUurocd  them  the  scum  of  the  dross  of  the  mining 
camp.  Not  worthy  the  name  of  gold-aoeker,  they  deserved  that  of  horse  thief, 
eeci^  stcbber,  and  "  gold  grabber." 


^te 


The  (Sold  Grahltr$. 


35 


from  the  defile  'otiotc 
[J  left  her  in  a  growing 
t  sharing  their  flight. 
1  way,  expert  (ootmcn 
,  thin  man,  about  fifty, 
cks  thicidy  upon  his 
1 ;  his  face  was  blood- 
guard  again!<t  snow- 
ir  of  a  student  or  pro- 
I  of  this,  h<t  was  the 
"  Captain  Kidd,"  that 
It  in  the  i8th  century. 
w  of  Old  Corroick,  a 
»!ignity  of  his  scowl, 
■seing  nobody  but  ths 
id: 

poiating  to  the  dead 
es  quarrelled  over  the 
option  to  redeem  it  at 

pgtMM;  they  professed 
it^  by  R)ea  whO;  on  the 

M  out  of  the  Book^of 
quickly  from  th«  tiadi 

tWrongh  the  lo^laaf, 

Etrches  too  far, 

better  fall  back  befora 

rsesara  jDc^  Indlaas,'? 

or  along  the  land  now 
jr  there.  Two  of  yon 
ough  fair  aa  &  Hily^a*' 

among  his  suMsn  and 
d  made  a  prisoner. 
3ung  lady's  protection 
pated  facss,  truculent 
ie  dross  of  the  mining 
kred  that  of  horse  thief, 


*fter  h«r  pan,  UUa  wM  overc!om«  by  violent  emotions,  after  the  bri»f  hope  «rf 
being  free  o!  •isrsecutscm.  The  persistent  devotion  of  Mr.  Dearborn  inapresscd 
her.  Others  who  m*f  have-escaped  apparently  looked  to  their  own  safety,  bat 
he  had  armed  himself  merely  to  follow  her  step-,  and  seek  to  deliver  her  against 
any  odds.  She  ruefully  reviewed  the  events  durinjj  which  she  had  passed 
through  hope,  fear,  aad  pain,  till  plunged  into  a  despair  greater  than  any  since 
her  father's  death.  On  marking  the  number  of  her  escoit,  and  their  villainous 
visages  and  robust  physique,  she  saw  little  possibility  of  her  only  friend,  how- 
ever  energetic  his  new  associate,  to  save  her  from  a  miserable  fate. 

The  retreating  bandits  did  not  seem  to  draw  the  Indians  after  them.  There 
was  BO  event  on  the  way,  and  the  watch  at  their  camp  had  none  to  report. 
.  The  adventurers'  "  fort  "  presented  a  semi-circle,  the  horns  resting  on  marab 
land  and  en  an  inaccessible  ravine  respectively.  It  had  an  iniprovised  musket- 
battery  gun,  such  as  Prince  Maurice  of  Holland  invented  years  age,  and 
m^em  armourers  have  perfected  and  adorned  with  their  generally  unpri>. 
nounceablc  names.  Its  rows  of  barrels,  two  deep,  could  bp  fireJ  simultaneausly, 
and  a  light,  strong,  broad-wheeled  carriage  allowed  it  to  be  quickly  shifted  »••» 
position,  it  defended  the  onlv  breach  in  r  barricade  of  pickets.  But  it  was 
evident  the  gold  seekera  were  iairly  well  content  to  entrust  their  surely  to  theu? 
rifles  and  strong  arms. 

€aptain  Kidd  responded  carelessly  to  the  questions  of  the  men  la  caaip, 
waved  them  to  stand  back,  and  proceeded  towards  the  rooks  of  the  raviV.^. 
Soon  he  stopped,  alighted,  and  offered  to  assist  Miss  Maclan  down  from  a  horse 
which  a  rider  had  resigned  to  her.  She  made  no  answer  to  liis  speech  of  wel- 
come, more  or  less  satirical,  and  eluifed  his  hand  by  leaping  lightly  to  the 
ground.     He  turned  pale,  frowned,  and  ccleds 

"Take  her  to  the  -enyorita.  They  are  proud  cats  alike,  and  tell  Donna 
Rosario  that  you  brmg  her  a  companion  or  a  »ilave — 1  care  not  which  she  make* 
of  her." 

"  But,  sir  I "  interrupted  Miss  Maclan,  more  alarmed  at  bemg  thrown  into 
the  power  of  a  woman  than  heretofore,  "you  must  know  that  I  asi  the  daughter 
of  Sir  Archie  Maclan  I  that  he  —  " 

"  Oh,  the  frontier  bar-rooms  are  full  of  such  sirs  1 "  he  rephed,  brutally.  "  I 
care  not  who  you  are,  since  you  would  not  be  civiL,  Know  that  h«««  yu  .^re 
lil^  one  of  those  tent  poles— 80methin|  I  can  snap  ajunder  and  toast  »  'i  ■»  e 
with.  Take  her  away!  Three,  men  lost  because  of  her.  I  am  A<r._,  ^■■•for 
hair  I"  and  he  made  with  his  fiDger  in  the  air  near  her  forehead  the  atrocio.is 
pantomime  of  scalping  her. 

She  did  not  shrink,  but,  looked  at  him  steadily  with  ner  cold  blue  <iyva^  and, 
with  a  lofty  mien,  followed  the  man  in  whose  charge  she  was  placed. 

"  And  now  that  we  have  the  p^tticoat?^  out  of  the  way,"  said  one  jf  the 
bandits  hastily.  "  I  suppose  we  cm  launch  out  and  punish  those  who  have  wiped 
out  poor  3oi  and  his  '  faardnerS.f ' " 

"  You  will  do  nothing  of  the  sort,  Dick.'  replied  Captain  Kidd  to  the  coarse 
Englishman  who  addressed  him. 

■'Why  not?    Are  you  afraid  of  the  Crews  who  infest  the  #oodP    So  it 

appeitrs." 

■'  No,  nor  of  the  Biackfed;  who  are  also  ia  the  ne%hbourhood." 

"Of  the  Red  River  Half. breed»r  then,  who  are  caiaped  yonder f  Pooh,  I 
«Mtld  eat  the  lot,  thrc«  at  a  bite." 

"No." 

■•  Of  the  sledging  train,  wiiose  uao«neeaTed  traces  abounaed  t©  the  noith»«ast, 
as  Lottery  Paul  reported  two 4ay8  ago?" 


0 


The  Red  Riuer  Hd/Bncd. 


**  Of  tliem  stffl  less.  If  Hiitytftstig  vmrtttifn  t«l«  be  true,  lli*y  cr.rmv  aeoaiSmg 
i^ong  with  sails  oa  their  ^Icd«es — i»5>at  »  ixAion  !  an<J  mooted  into  a  cot-o8 1 
They  were  smashed,  and  the  rras  and  the  wolves  Kkve  left  nc  mora  tkui  tbeir 
bhsnes." 

"  I  know  now  I  You  axt  afeud  o*  rannins  np  neaiMt  the  OM  Mm  «f  tin 
'Mouiitwins!" 

"  Jim  Ridge " 

"And  his  red-nizger  companyero,  QieroJtee  Bill!" 

"  No  !"  answered  the  captain,  more  warmly  than  with  any  of  his  oegativM 
before. 

"  "Tils  the  Yager  and  his  blood-broth«r  I  I  am  sore  we  are  near  that  havnt  at 
theirs  which  no  one  lias  yet  wormed  out,  and  yet  scores  of  daredevils  have 
left  the  settlements  to  try  to  discover  their  plateea,  as  we  are  doing." 

"  My  dear  •  pal '  Dick,"  replied  Captain  Kidd.  "  1  do  not  underrate  Old  Jim. 
He  b  wise,  expert,  brave,  with  an  enormous  influence  over  all  the  prairie  and 
tnouatain  ranijers  from  the  Creat  Lakes  to  the  Waterless  Desert  of  the  Apache 
Country.  {  dety  any  one  to  tell  certainly  beforehand  whether  he  wilt  have  the 
«nmity  or  support  ot  even  those  red  men  who  most  hate  us  whites  as  a  rule. 
He  must  be  our  prisoner— our  guide,  hr  any  means,  mark,  to  the  treasares  of 
this  region.  Though  it  is  a  hard  task  to  master  him,  he  shall  fall  into  our 
clutcheH,  I  promise  you.  But  my  fear  is  no  more  Ci  him  than  of  Cana^ant, 
Blackfeet,  or  Crows." 

"  Of  whom,  then,  captain  f" 

"  Have  you  seen  any  eagles  on  the  si«rra  to-day  ?" 

"  Or  wild  beastb  in  the  glens  ?" 

"  No  S  but  yesterday  they  were  out  of  their  retreats." 

"  I  believe  it.  The  eagles  were  whetting  their  beaks ;  anJ  the  bears,  welresi 
and  wolverines  sharpening  their  claws." 

"  Very  liko,  because  they  have  seen  os  and  so  niany  other  gangs  almost 
jostling  in  these  wilds,  and  they  know  there  will  be  meat.'* 

"  No,  Dick;  our  conflicts  will  not  furnish  them  with  a  glut  It  will  bes 
mightier  devastator — one  that  we  cannot  resist,  and  we  will  1»  lucky  to  dodge. 
Sec  the  clouds  rolling  over  and  over  on  the  top  of  the  Rockies — above  tka 
snow-belt  I  That  is  the  blizsard  concentrating  for  a  rush  down  up«n  the 
valleys  and  plains.  Go  and  set  the  men  to  nrakine;  all  weatherproof.  We 
^Hui  be  snowed  up  t  and  may  the  devil  take  care  of  bt»  owa  1" 


,4. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

tM«  tmb  uvaa  MALr-BxaKos. 

Whrft  Ranald  and  Pilditcit  reposed,  the  more  restleiM  tntf^Wta  went  put 
reconnoitring  all  the  day. 

Theit  was  a.  rising  wind,  whids  bsf  ;>;ed  in  the  hoUMfCf  tnttiml  i^e  loose 
'^nes,  and  soughed  among  the  ice-coaiuJ  boutih*. 


>ted  Into  «  cut-off  I 
le  sioie  tlMW  thdur 

K  Old  Mfttt  flf  tlM 


»y  «f  his  negatS»«» 

I  near  that  h««nt  ol 
of  dartdevite  h*»« 

doing." 

underrate  Old  Jtm. 
all  tha  prairie  and 
esert  of  the  Apache 
er  he  will  have  the 
js  whites  as  a  rule, 
to  the  trcasares  of 
shall  (all  into  our 
than  of  Caoa^ians, 


4  thoh«aw,«eW«i. 

other  gang*  rimost 

a  glut-  It  will  be  a 
11  be  lucky  to  dodge. 
Rocidfi*— ahove  the 
ush  down  upon  the 
weatherpfoof.    W« 


MMyCHttM  the  loose 


7%e  Rsd  Rher  Hal/'Sreeds. 


5? 


Their  first  find  w*»  the  lodifement  o!  the  Grow  Indians.  For  over  twenty 
hours  these  had  remained  in  a  fireless  camp  in  a  gulch  eastward,  livtng;  on 
"  cold  bites,"  so  as  iiot  to  betr»y  theBtsolven,  and  seading  out  do  scouts  tiU  the 
recent  snow  should  be  hardened. 

At  half-past  five  in  the  morning,  Cherokee  Bill  had  heard  a  murmnr  Iti  this 
camp,  like  that  of  the  bees  in  swarming,  and  thus  it  was  pointed  out.  The  two 
crept  as  near  as  thfy  dared.  They  oould  diMiagaish  the  forms  of  the  more 
prominent  leaders  as  they  drilled  their  followers,  twd  could  tecogoiae  the  bead* 
chief. 

It  w«a  Ahnemekee—noled,  though  3rcwB|r.  He  was  boM,  vtAn  oi  h's  good 
looks  and  long  hair,  and  very  rapacions.  His  people  Mteemed  him  a  hero ;  but 
the  frontiersmen  set  hira  down  as  one  of  the  biggest  thieves  in  creation— which, 
Sy  the  way,  is  much  the  same  thing,  .^hnemekee  made  a  speech  to  feis  tpoop, 
rather  at  length,  and  w'th  a  confident  bearing.  The  two  beholders  conjectured, 
from  the  gestures,  that  he  was  planning  an  attack  on  a  grand  scale  The  sub- 
chiefs,  having  also  addressed  their  bands,  a  war  whistle  sounded  the  onler  to 
depart,  and  all  the  warriors  left  the  rarnip,  except  a  strong  guard  over  their  lew 
hor»es.     Being  Mountain  Crows,  they  were  aocusttrmed  to  ftgbt  on  foot. 

The  two  hunters  had  no  more  to  learn  there ;  but,  by  following  tl>e  first 
party,  whose  trail  they  came  upon,  they  soon  judget!  whither  they  all  converged ; 
and  •'Unning  on  in  advance,  by  a  wide  circuit  to  the  same  point,  they  discovered 
an  encampment,  and  thereby  the  cause  of  the  hymns  in  the  midnight. 

At  first  sight,  it  looked  'like  «  caravan  of  emigrants.  There  were  carts, 
w«g9;«ns,  horses,  oxen,  mules,and  even  sheep,  calves,  and  pigs.  The  guardians 
of  this  valuabk;  train,  so  far  up  in  the  mountains,  were  nearly  a  hundred  in 
number.  There  were  many  women,  about  the  same  age,  but  few  or  no  children  i 
and,  coming  to  examine  ctosely,  while  the  men  were  all  of:  an  age,  also,  tl'cir 
dark  tint  was  quite  contrary  to  the  complexion  of  their  charges.  The  con- 
veyances sitowed  a  variety  of  constriKtion  and  brands,  which  showed  to  the 
acute  scoots  that  it  was  no  legitimate  grouping,  but  rathar  a  conglomeration 
of  spoil  from  a  faid  on  the  edge  of  civilisation. 

"  It  will  be  dog  (  iting  dog,"  observed  the  Yager  j  "  for  here  is  the  target  of 
'  the  Thunderbolt.'    What  do  you  make  them  out  to  be  P  " 

"  Red  River  Half-breeds,"  answered  Bill—"  £ob  Rufys,  sure  as  a  gun.  The 
Crows  will  have  a  tough  dinner  to  tackle  if  they  trouble  th«m  t  " 

"  Bob  Ruly  "  is  a  burlesque  pronur.ciation  of  Bois  BtuUy  or  "  burnt  wood  ; " 
that  is  to  say,  men  of  the  colour  of  the  red  of  a  fircstick  h«l;we«n  the  black  end 
and  the  unflred  portion.  U  is  applied  to  the  Half-breeds  of  Canada,  French  and 
Indian,  who  refused  to  accept  their  transference  under  the  Anglo-French  treatj 
of  1763  to  the  Enrfish  flag,  and  withdrew  to  the  west.  Thtsir  realm  of  retire- 
ment, called  the  Red  River  Territory,  or  Manitoba,  is  geograpbieal'y  in  the 
British  Dominion  ;  but  they  flourished  there  in  freedom  till  the  deveiofanerit  of 
Canada,  aisd  the  project  of  a  North  Pacific  Railway  compelled  the  Canadian 
Government  to  etrforce  their  submission.  At  this  time,  it  was  supposed  that 
the  Bois  Brulfo  would  maintain  their  indepo/idencc,  if  more  or  less  helped  by 
American  adventurers,  until  the  inte-vention  of  the  United  States  would  confirm 
it,  preliminary  to  their  absorption  into  the  Gre?t  RepubliCi  No  one  foresaw 
that  the  British  troops,  undci  Sir  Garnet  Wolseley,  would  quickly  supppwa  the 
rebels,  and  that  the  United  States  Civil  War  would  dtract  the  Washington 
stetramen's  attention  elsew!**  re. 

The  Bois  Bruits,  through  their  Indian  Wood,  are  friendly  with  many  North- 

on  pleasant  terms  with  the  white  rovers. 

C 


S8 


The  RM  Rum  HafJ.JBrred. 


"  Tell  'ee  what,  chief/'  said  Ridee,  after  prolonged  obsenrattor  "  thej^  a 
hand  of  villains  there  I  Bither  they  have  been  robbing,  or  they  are  consi^rnees  of 
plunder.  If  it  were  not  for  those  poor  wotAen,  whom  anyone  can  tell  are 
prifioners,  I  should  cheer  the  Crows  on  to  'em !  " 

*  Yes ;  Ahnemf-lcee  h  a  inurderouu  thief — he  thinks  nothing  of  killing  woraeo 
^and  babes — a  bad  Indian,  Jim  !    He  must  not  be  let  hafe  his  way  here!" 

*'  We  must  hold  a  '  medicine  council,' "  continued  the  Old  Man  of  the  Moun* 
tain ;  "  so  back  to  our  f  riendd  I " 

They  had  to  take  their  return  route  with  more  caution  than  In  coming,  since  , 
the  Crows  were  no  doubt  at  hand.  But  their  intimate  knowledge  of  the  ground 
enabled  them  to  avoid  any  contact.  Thanks  to  tha  detour  they  traced,  and  to 
the  infinite  pains  with  which  they  scanned  every  square  yard  of  the  scene,  they 
pfu'ceived  that  a  em  ill  party  had  come  to  a  halt  in  the  rocks.  These  were  not 
Biackfeet;  and  they  thought  at  the  first  that  they  might  be  the  Crows,  of 
whose  presence  Filditch's  moccasin  bad  given  an  intimation.  In  any  case, 
they  crept  up  to  the  shallow  dug-out  den  m  the  side  of  a  shale  and  sand* 
stone  clifF,  and,  when  the  faces  were  distinguishable,  rose  oat  of  the  cover, 
and  boldly  went  forward,  waving  their  open  right  hands  in  tc^en  of  p«accf;M 
intentions. 

Indeed,  the  group  of  seven  men  was  friendly.  Two  more  wore  collecting 
wood  for  a  fire,  luckily  for  them  :iOt  yet  burning. 

It  was  the  remnant  of  Sir  Archie  Maclan's  hapless  expedition. 

Usually,  a  meeting-place  at  a  distance  is^greed  upon  by  a  tr»«p  ia  order 
that,  after  dispersal  by  an  attack,  the  rally  may  be  made  for  a  reprisal  or  to 
affording  a  strong  front  in  retreat.  This  precaution  had  not  been  taken  by 
the  I^tiglish  gentleman's  heterogenous  c.^pany.  Still,  by  some  natural  law 
prevcuiing  in  the  wilderness,  the  few  who  escaped  the  savages  had  come 
together.  Lanie,  weaponless,  imperferdy  clothed,  driven  to  eat  icots  painfully 
•cratched  out  of  the  frosen  soil,  tiiey  regarded  the  two  trappers  as  almost 
superhuman,  glowing,  as  they  we;.e,  with  health,  and  formidably  armed,  and 
xjuitc  at  home  in  the  desolation. 

At  their  first  words— -thanlcr  to  Ranald's  account  of  the  disastei^o-tiie  new- 
'cnmers  knew  with  whom  they  had  to  deal.  These  were,  save  one  (a  Surcee 
Indian),  the  ac?*pb  hunter*.  Though  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  men  are 
instructed  to  show  no  corbiiality  towards  free  trappers  in  actual  practice,  they 
usually  hobnob  when  tucy  meet.  Here,  as  Jim  Ridge  at  once  promised  them 
supplies  if  they  would  accompany  him  to  a.cmthe,  the  fraternisation  was  speedily 
pciftct,  and  whir.  Cherokee  Bill,  bound  to  the  mountain-home  to  bring  back 
Ki>ige's  nephptv  and  Mr.  Dearborn,  left  the  rejoicing  fugitives,  they  were 
tonsting  the  Old  Yager  in  tradi-.tg-whisky,  and  vowing  to  follow  him  to  the 
edjjfe  of  the  Fi  rehole  Basin,  and  then  over. 

Two  hours  afterwards,  the  Cherokee  returned  with  the  whites,  and  the: 
rec>!ption  of  Ranald  was  hilarious  by  his  comrades,  now  equipped  and 
cr.imnied  to  repletion.  Whilst  these  lost  ones  "found  in  every  comfort,"  as 
they  said,  were  still  reoompensing  themselves  for  their  sufferings  in  the 
unconstrained  mode  of  the  desert,  the  chiefs  of  this  now  redoubtable  bao^ 
conferred  on  the  plan  of  action. 

Filditch  was  alone  his  own  master,  and  placed  himself  at  his  relative's 
orders ;  Cherokee  Bill  judged  that  the  "  old  hoss  knew  best ;"  Ranald, 
freelv  appointed  leader  of  the  Scotch  contingent,  offered  their  servicer  M 
blindly,  and  Jim  had  only  to  debate  with  himself. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  he,  "  that  either  the  Crows  or  the  Bob  Rulys  should 
slaughter  one  another  in  u.  fight  is  uo  item  for  t»;  bock.     But  those  white 


J  are  consignees  of 
iyon«  can  telt  are 

g  of  killing  women 
way  here!" 
Man  of  the  Moun* 

in  coming,  »ince . 

edge  of  tlic  ground 

they  traced,  and  to 

1  of  the  scene,  they 

These  were  not 

be  the  Crows,  of 

ion.    In  any  case, 

a  shale  and  Band* 

le  out  of  the  cover, 

n  token  of  peaccfu. 

tore  were  collecting 

ition. 

by  a  trto^  in  order 

for  a  reprisal  or  to 

not  been  taken  by 

f  some  natural  Uw 

savages  had  come 

b  eat  I  cots  painfully 

trappers  as  almo^ 
nidabiy  armed,  and 

!  disaster— the  n«w- 
save  one  (a  Surce« 
y  Company  men  are 
actual  practice,  they 
once  promised  them 
iiisation  was  speediiv 
•home  to  bring  back 
ugitives,  they  were 
o  follow  him  to  the 

the  whites,  and  th« 
now  equipped  and 
»  every  comfort,"  as 
ir  sufferings  io  the 
(w  redoubtable  ban^ 

elf  at  his  relative't 
lew  best ;"  Ranald, 
ed  their  services  en 

ic  Bob  Rulys  shmdd 
k.     But  those  white 


Tki^  Rid  River  ffalf'Jirmls. 


39 


women  are  Innocent  creature*,  wives,  and  sisters,  I  daresay,  of  poor  settler^t, 
who  are  now  lamenting  their  unknown  fate.  We  are^ot  numerous  enough  to 
match  either  band  now,  bui  when  they  thin  one  another  out  with  a  general 
shoot,  one  vigorous  charge  might  place  the  captives  in  our  h  nds.  When  we 
so  charge  Qilfwill  look  to  the  horses  ;  and  once  we  can  ride  olT,  I  answer  for 
a  safe  haven  for  the  whole  cahoot  (cohort)  in  a  niiSt  in  the  mountains.  Woe  to 
any  that  follow  us,  for  I  am  conceited  on  not  letting  Tom,  Sick,  r.od  Harry 
collect  on  my  front  door-step.    Is  that  a  good  notion,  hrothers  F' 

"  It  will  do." 

"  Then  look  to  your  guns,  whet  your  knives,  and  all  be  ready  to  march," 

In  half  an  hour  the  start  was  made,  the  men  being  8lk>wed  to  finish  their 
^ipes  as  they  proceeded  in  single  file.  Down  "iloping  ground,  Ritlge  led  them 
mto  a  valley,  where  an  unseen  river  gurgled  like  a  pond  of  sunfish.  A  beaver 
dam  had  intercepted  this  flow,  but  the  beaver  mea/'ow  was  one  sheet  of  per- 
fectly unruffled  ice,  under  which  the  running  water  could  be  seen  by  the 
bubbles  at  the  air-holes.  Like  so  many  schoolboys,  the  men,  with  a  start 
down  the  bank,  shot  themselves  across  this  expanse  to  the  wood  of  tender 
trees  among  the  .stvmps  cut  by  the  industrious  natural  engineer.  Hera . 
Cherokee  Bill  took  the  head  of  the  Indian  file.  For  twenty  minutes  the 
st;~ing  of  men  advanced  in  absolute  quiet,  forberring  to  snap  a  dry  twig, 
dislc^ge  a  stono,  or  crush  the .  tck.-crust.  Bill  guided  them  so  skilfully  that 
they  were  always  well  sheltered,  till  tinally  tbey  came  out  into  a  hodge-podge 
of  boulders  in  a  sand  black  and  fine  as  gunpowder,  resembling  the  remains  of 
bones  and  vegetables  in  a  giant's  stew-kettle  out  of  which  he  had  drained  the 
broth.  It  occupied  the  centre  of  the  end  of  the  beuver-mesdow,  and  protected 
the  rivulet  channel. 

It  was  the  halting  post,  and  a  more  miscalable  and  defensible  position  it 
were  difRcuit  to  select.  Under  them  in  front  the  level  ground  extended  where 
the  Bois  BruMs'  caravan  had  been  drawn  through,  hmdrances  which  any  b'jl 
western  wagoners  would  deem  insurmountable.  The  hunters  were  shielded  on 
all  sides,  and  invisible.  On  the  white  patches  of  snow  they  descried  the 
unsuspecting  red  men  leisurely  nearing  the  palisades  of  the  Canadians  to  take 
up  position  for  the  storming.  The  stockade  showed  that  the  Half-breeds 
intended  no  move,  and  as  Indians  almost  never  attack  in  darkness,  th«  liUie 
force  on  observation  placidly  lay  down  to  await  their  cue  to  intervene. 

Streaks  of  fog  and  a  dull  greyish  yellow  cloud  bank  closed  in  the  setting 
svn.  In  the  night  the  wolves  called  to  one  another,  and  seemed,  in  their 
language,  to  exchange  information  on  the  movements  of  so  many  men  in  the 
solitude,  and  laughed  at  the  prospect  of  carnage  on  the  morrow. 

When  the  moon  shone  wan  and  cold,  it  not  only  was  t.-)«»ned  with  a  livid 
snow  ring,  but  was  accompanied  by  four  "dogs,"  or  weird  ini::fes  of  its  pate 
self,  which  made  the  superstitious  fed  men  shudder.  As  for  the'  tfhites,  hardy 
as  the  Scotch-American  Ijccomes,  they  luxuriated  under  the  blankets  and  furs 
which  Jim  Ridge  had  generously  offered,  and  mocked  at  the  glac'al  cl^, 
the  morning  frost.  A  few  showers  of  fine  ice;  rather  than  snow,  fell  i  ' 
look-outs  of  the  mountain  men's  '"  fort,"  of  the  Crows  and  of  the  Cans 
suffering  with  the  feverish  wakeful  sleepiness  to  which  soldiers, 
hunters  are  subjected  at  the  worst  stage  in  the  darkest  and  colde 
dawn. 

At  length  stripes  of  pallid  gold  and  blue  announced  a  sunless 
but  a  snow-owl  sahjtcd  it,  and  that  was  a  sneering,  mebwcfcoly 
on  the  gusty  breeie,  laden  with  sket,  ice,  and  sand; 

The  twiligift  was  of  a  milky  opai  hue,  which  tioacctttfaSed  istA 


seamen 


hi56S 


E?! 


40 


Tfu  Rtd  River  Half-Breed, 


htyer,  while  the  Rfowtd-uf  clMred  up  and  allowed  A  tolerably  extended  view. 
It  Kcemed  an  ominous  pair  over  the  threatened  camps. 

Suddenly  a  vivid  glare  reddened  fhe  plain.  A  war- Jrum  thundcrad,  and  tb* 
Crow  war-whoop  furiously  resounded.  '" 

ijinanekee'ii  war-whivtle  piped  bi»  burfi  oa  with  pietcing  notati 


CHAPTER  X 


VRK  STORM-KIIIO. 


Ow  the  several  slgnah,  the  mottntaim>en  »aw  the  Crowf  spriii;  up  ewn  fTPin 
coverts  where  thoy  had  not  suspected  them  to  lurk.  They  shot^k  off  the  snow 
like  so  many  feathers  off  a  shot  bird,  as  well  a*  their  robin,  which  would  en> 
cumber  thetr  onset.  Immediately  (ireanna  of  oil  sorts,  for  the  red  men  are 
rarely  .irmed  uniformly,  oegvt  and  kept  up  the  aharp  CMttinuous  crackle  of  a 
firing;  at  wi'l. 

"  Thar  she  biases  1 "  said  Cherokee  Bill,  with  a  ferocious  grin. 

Besides  their  bullets,  tlin  Crows  liad  flung  Greballs  and  fire-tipped  arrows 
upon  the  waggons,  and  had  followed  them  in  at  the  openings  of  tl»o  interlocked 
carts.  But  they  had  no  timid  emiff^rants  to  deal  with,  whatever  they  might  have 
thought.  Quite  otherwise,  for  the  Bois  Brul^  were  on  the  alert,  emploiring 
all  defentiive  measures  in  their  fuU  knowledge  available  in  that  site.  Tneir 
firinfr  was  only  done  whon  they  pushed  the  Indians  with  the  muxzles,  and  it 
was  dead  or  wounded  whom  they  thus  blew  back  witiwut  the  barrier. 

This  repulse  did  not  dishearten  the  marauders.  They  cams  on  again  W 
boldly,  but' with  more  method.  Some  carried  bunches  of  resinous  twigs  smeared 
with  eik  fat,  and  using  them  first  as  shietd)^  by  which  to  reach  the  waggon 
wheels,  dropped  them  between  them  and  Sredthem  before  retiring,  Tiie  r-<ir.p 
defenders  were  forced  to  detach  several  to  put  out  these;  flames,  which  soon 
caught  tl»e  waggon-canvas  <x>wn. 

At  one  gap  at  forty  ol  the  savages  clambered  in,  and  plied  knives  and 
httchets  to  reach  th«  horses,  Trhich  they  hoped  to  stampede,  and  so  augment 
the  confusion,  whiUt  relieving  the  owners  of  the  power  to  depart  speedily. 
Their  whoops  were  already  impreawd  with  the  ton*  of  victory. 

The  main  body  of  the  Red  Kiver  Haif-brecds  surrounded  a  largA  tent  which 
nndoubtedly  cor.t.-iiaod  their  valuables,  including  the  captive  women,  whose 
psalms  had  been  hcurd  by  the  inoontain-men.  The  rest  of  tho  HalZ-breeds 
resisted  the  rush  towards  the  cattle. 

All  at  once  several  Indians  were  seen  setting  upon  a  young  Canadian,  who 
had  a  k^  under  one  arm,  which  he  d^ended  with  a  woodman  s  axe. 
'  "  Whtskyl  whisky!  the  fire-water;  hat  ha!"  cried  theae  savages,  laugh' 
ing  and  yelling  in  his  face  under  the  very  axe  which  menac^<i  to  leave  them 
no  heads  into  which  to  gulp  their  beloved  liquor. 

"  You  asses,  it's  powder  I  "  he  returned,  contemptuous  of  their  stupidity. 

At  the  same  moment,  whilst  his  and  half  a  dozen  other  pairs  of  hands 
v^TsaciMid  the  kegssuider,  ose  of  the  gusts  of  wind  »w«pt  towards  the  group 


-  »i»B*»;^»W!:**''*»f-01^''!S?5i<«w  «■■«;,'■'«  ■ 


The  Stem  ling. 


tbiy  extendttJ  view, 
thundered,  and  tb* 
notW> 


ipring'  up  even  ffim 
r  shook  off  tSie  snow 
s,  which  would  en- 
<tt  the  'cd  men  are 
itiruous  crackle  of  ft 

J  fire-tippcd  arrows 
gs  of  the  interlocked 
ever  they  might  have 
the  alert,  employing 
in  that  site.    Tneir 

the  muzzles,  and  it 
lie  barrier. 

1/  came  on  again  as 
sinou*  twigs  smeared 
)  reach  the  waggon 
retiring.     Tjhe  r  .nip 

flames,  which  auon 

ind  plied  knives  and 
Mle,  and  so  augmeni 
to  depart  speedily, 
xiry. 

d  a  Urge  teot  whieb 
[ttlve  women,  whose 
;  of  the  Half-breeds 

Dttng  Canadian,  who 
nan  s  axe. 

MS*  savages,  iaugh- 
:nac?4  to  leave  them 

{  their  stupidity. 
Aher  pairs  of  hands 
^t  tow«!d»  the  group 


L  blasicg  shreds  '  a  tarpsalin  of  wc-/on  Mnjp  ptHsfsd.  A  spark  kindled 
th<7  nnt-poaring  griiins,  the  explosion  ensued,  end  t^s  dtisier  >*!  radsldos  was 
hoiribly  scattered,  white  the  Sola  VSru!<S  fell  limbed. 

Though  almost  ernquetors,  the  unsupprcssibie  screams  of  the  victims  of  (hiu 
ravage  Intimidated  the  Crows,  and  r<  hing  but  the  prompt  encouragement  of 
their  chiefs  prevented  a  panic.  On  ;  '::  other  hand,  tlte  view  of  so  mttcb  harm 
wrought  by  a  single  hand  revived  the  Half-breeds'  courage.  They  saw  that,  at 
least,  they  would  not  perish  withont  retaliation,  and  toat  they  coukl  evade 
death  by  torture  by  blowing  themselves  up. 

The  death-deaKiig  eaploarion  acted  as  a  ^gnal  for  an  armed  (rtiee  of  scanty 
damtion. 

Memwhile  the  Sctitch  allies  of  ^he  mountain-men  had  watched  the  struggle 
from  their  aerie  with  the  burning  im(>..'ience  of  bonrhouni'  i  /ho  hear  the  beast 
gnashing  his  tusks.  Ail  but  lUdge  seemed  thus  chufing  to  take  a  share  in  the 
sanguinary  game.  Th^only  controlled  their  warlike  instincts  till  the  bursting 
of  the  gunpowder  keg  K>rced  them  to  applaud  the  Canadian  victin.  TlMnv 
without  a  word,  they  bounded  from  among  the  rocks  and  rushed  <tewn  on  the 
'  Plat.'    All  that  Ridge  eould  do  was  get  them  under  some  restraint,  so  as  to 


"  plunge  in  "  orderly. 
Th 


The  combatants  had  their  attention  so  engaged  within  the  camp,  that  the  new 
arrivals  raa  up  to  the  waggon  hubs  without  being  noticed.  Therefore  tha 
Yager  halted  tnetn  behind  two  stumps,  of  which  the  trunk  and  limbs  had  helped 
fence  the  enclosure,  and  went  half  round  it  to  inspect  the  smoking  ruins,  where 
gash  d  and  muiilated  bodi'es  proved  that  neither  Canndian  nor  Indian  struck 
with  daintiness.  Rejoining  his  companions,  he  briefly'  explained  how  he  wished 
them  to  airp,  and  they  impatiently  awaited  his  word  of  command. 

The  ^auso  was  now  over,  for  Ahnemekee  was  doun^ihiiig  his  spiked  war-club 
and  sounding  the  ch;irging  cry.  In  another  moment  the  redskins  who  stirvived 
the  la.st  dhot3  of  the  Bois  Brul^  would  be  in  the  tent  of  the  women  and  raining> 
mercrlrss  blows  on  their  unresisting  fonr 

"  Fire  into  tke  brown  of  thetn  I "  roared  Ridge,  fahoos  at  fbn  sc«iw,  OOt 
unknown  to  him,  which  he  imagined. 

At  the  back  of  the  Crows,  then,  through  the  smuke  and  a  Urn  idly-faliing 
Ankfis  of  spotless  snow,  a  dozen  shots  resounded,  and  at  least  ten  of  them 
pitched  head-first  towards  the  Canadians,  whose  balls  whizsed  over  theffl  and 
Krewcd  fieath  among  tbrii  surprised  companions. 

Tak>n  between  two  firet*,  the  Cr.wsfolt  they  had  lost  the  d7.y.  The  Bois 
Bra'fis,  without  wasting  time  in  seeking  whence  were  their  timely  deliverers, 
shouted  ''  Vii>»  la  Cat%adienne  !  "  snd  bravely  took  the  offenaive.  But,  casting 
aside  their  empty  guns,  the  Crows  scattered  thr- -igh  the  camp,  and  tried  to 
aeramb'le  out  nf  the  environment  with  even  more  alacrity  than  they  had  shown 
in  entering.  Shot  down  ;  y  the  unknown  foe  and  cat  to  pieces  by  the  reanimated 
Half-breeo»— it  was  a  "  na."  Weaponles-,  sitripped  almost  naked  for  the 
action,  debarred  from  speedinfr  to  the  spi  wi.t^re  their  garments  were  stored, 
Hie  Indians  must  have  been  slaughtered  to  a  man  on  the  frigid  waste  had  nett 
thetr  uantic  appcab  tothe  patron  of  their  tribe  seemed  to  have  obtained  an 
Inlervention. 

That  srorm  which  had  been  two  days  breeding,  -ind  was  unrnistakalily 
threatened  over  night,  ilew  over  the  mountain  cretit  and  burst  on  the  tablelands 
with  unmeasured  violence.  It  was  the  "  bilzsard,"  to  which  East  Indian 
'Cjrciones,  V/«st  Indian  tornadoes,  and  what  Siirope  calls  tempests,  are  aephyis 
to  fat.  a  baby's  bicw.  One  of  those  cataclj'sms  which  befall  poor  earth  as  if 
defined  to  dwUfoy  it,  aiig  rage  ife  ttse  desert  so  fnriotnly  that  the  aspect  of  the 


.*«r- 


a'iilii 


4* 


Tht  AW  Riv^  HalJ'Brtei* 


whole  inxX  for  thoumadt  upon  thouMod^  of  mile*  is  often  trensfott.icct  in  a  few 
"iHMtrt.  The  wind  ckine  out  o(  gorges  like  a  compacted  bolt,  and  bisalt  waa 
pierced  like  putty,  the  eddies,  or  " •cfew-wifld,"  uprooted  hoarv  pinrs  and 
wallx«l  away  wit),  them  in  the  diitanre.  The  snow  and  hail  clouds  were  com- 
praesed  to  the  tree  and  Kill  tope,  and  condenited  the  lower  atnnospher^  so  that 
breathing;  was  difficult,  and  cattle  slopped  in  frantic  fli((ht  as  if  a  colossnl  hand 
w&ie  laid  on  their  backs.  The  snow  felt  in  balled-up  masses,  aiid  ligkt 
•bsoiutelv  disappeared  so  Im  as  any  ability  to  fix  its  source  existed.  All  the 
eye  could  perceive  was  a  variaiion  in  the  density  of  the  seams  of  gloom.  As 
for  hearing,  any  one  of  the  portentous  sounds  must  have  deafened— the  roar 
of  the  wind,  the  crash  of  the  dethroned  peaks,  the  ripping  of  the  trees,  the 
rush  of  tbr;  Avalanches  of  miow,  sand,  and  rocks. 

The  liHiianah&d  scattered  over  the  plain,  trembling  and  moaning  their  prayers 
indiscriminately  to  the  Great  Good  Spirit  and  the  Little  Bad  One.  On  thev 
fled,  tmmpH^ig  on  birds  and  beasts,  whose  life-long  lairs  >.i)d  nests  were  wrecked, 
and  'vhich  grovelled  flat  in  agony  of  apprehension.  Most  dreadful  of  all,  now 
and  thc'i  a  fugitive  was  bailed  up  in  a  thick  gust,  and  the  packing  flakes  around 
hiiTi  lapidly  gathering  .additional  layers,  he  was  soon  thrown  down,  and  thence 
forth,  the  core  of  a  rolling  hill  spun  on  for  leagues  over  the  tablelands. 

Ridge  had  time  to  raise  the  cry,  "  With  me,  on  our  only  chance,  buy* ! " 
end  by  a  mirac!',  biindly,  yet  surely,  led  the  b£  d  back  to  their  late  post, 
however  precarious  was  that  refuse,  fttained  over  new  and  terrible  obstacles  in 
the  thick  snow. 

The  lately  smooth^as-glass  beaver  meadow  lake  was  rough  with  stones  that 
had  Hmnshed  the  mirror ;  the  subterranean  stream,  vastly  swollen,  rose  up  like 
an  entombed  snake,  bursting  the  suiface  and  splashed  about  impetuously  for 
outlets  which  continual  changes  of  the  rocky  bairriers  offered  and  withi' ew. 
Ks  the  tnrrent  rose  to  the  hunters,  the  snow  massively  came  down.  But  they 
were  hardened  bordcrmen,  and  tar  from  Luting  even  justifiable  awe  paralyse 
tt.eir  courage,  nrched  their  backn  against  the  piercing  north  wind,  and  listened 
to  judge  by  its  sinister  voice  where  would  open  an  escape  from  the  enwrapping 
danger. 

Fortunately,  the  very  violence  of  these  Rocky  Mountain  snow-storms  lesMt 
their  duration,  and  they  calm  down  more  tepidly  than  they  break  out — suddenly 
and  without  a  warning  lull.  This  the  adventurers  knew,  except  Filditch  and 
Ranald  alone,  perhaps,  and  though  Ihey  were  knee  deep  in  icy  water  and  ntcre 
snow  men,  they  dwelt  statuesque  without  a  murmur. 

During  three  hours  they  huddled  up,  clinging  to  each  oU:^'.  merely  shifting, 
so  that  every  noi^  and  then  the  more  exposM  should  be  .eplaced  by  the  be 
sheltered — a  living  bulwark,  that  built  ana  unbuilt  itself  for  its  own  protectic 

"  Hurrah,  boys  I  "  shouted  the  Yager,  as  the  wind  died  away  sharply,  "  v, 
have  weathered  it.     Old  Rocky  is  somt,  though,  whfui  he  pitches  snowballs  I 

The  snow  flakes  were  soft  at  last,  and  not  intern  ingled  with  icy  atoms  tl 
cut  the  cheek,  ay,  ^nd  even  the  leather  of  their  dress,  like  a  san^lnst.    Scmjd 
that  ceased,  ana  they  could  view  the  di'eadf  ul  medley  of  the  devastated  countrjft. 

All  the  landmarks  were  removed,  and  the  new- ones  were  frightfully  fantastic. 
Trees  were  stripped  into  logs,  and  flung  upon  the  bluff.s,  and  boulders  were 
perched  in  the  crotches  of  dismantled  trunks.  The  grove  where  the  hunters  had 
been  ambushed  among  the  stumps,  to  succour  the  Half-breeds'  captives,  no 
longer  existed  even  to  the  roots.  No  sound  arose  where  no  breathine  creatons 
remained,     rcur  feet  deep  the  scow  and  sit  t  spre&.i  as  a  hi-  '   ■ihroud 

over  the  level  ground.  ^ 

The  survivors  waited  an  honr for  the  frothv  torr'  ..s,  ey 


^.i.r':  -■;-., 


K> 


mmm 


the  /rr      'iff,'  Hint. 


43 


trensforrawl  In  a  f«r 
jolt,  and  bi»alt  »»M 
ed  h«ary  pines  and 
ail  clouds  were  com- 
atnumpheri  ao  that 
u  il  a  colossal  band 
p  masses,  aiid  ligkt 
ce  existed.  All  the 
earns  of  gloom.  As 
I  deafencnl — the  roti^ 
ng  of  tb«  trees,  th» 

noaninff  their  prajren 
Bad  One.  On  they 
d  nests  w««  wrecked^. 

dieadiul  of  all,  n< 
jHckii'g  flakes  arous 
nn  down,  and  then 
)  tablelands. 

only  chance,  boys !  " 
c  to  their  late  post, 
i  terrible  obstaclea  in 

mgh  with  stones  that 
swollen,  rose  up  like 
bout  impetuously  for 
ffered  and  »ithf  ew. 
me  dowc.  But  they 
tifiable  awe  paralyse 
th  wind,  and  listened 
from  the  enwrappin" 

1  anow-ttonns  lessc 
i  break  out— sudden 

except  Filditch 
n  icy  water  and  i 

»tfc^',  merely  shifti«„._, 
e  .eplaced  by  the  best 
or  i«8  own  protectio 
sA  away  sharply,  "  wa 
pitches  snowballs  I  '' 
d  with  icy  atoms  that 
te  a  sandblast.  Soon 
l>e  devastated  country. 
e  frightfully  faittastsc. 
ffs,  and  boulders  were 
where  the  hunters  had 
M-breeds'  captives,  no 
no  breathinf  creature 
«  a  »-'  'i^roud 


coatd  ford  H  by  offerin|f  so  an^lar  riwistance,  all  supporting  the  up-streian 
leader  against  the  still  raging  current.  Then,  rigging  up  temporary  snow-shoes 
out  of  fragments  of  eldef  and  their  ragged  robes,  they  Iwgan  to  glide  owr  the 
fresh  floor,  hsrdly  ftrm  enough  yet  to  support  even  their  restless  skimming. 
They  Were  five  hours  reaching  a  place  of  refige  near  the  secluded  Ci.ve  whicn 
Ridge  did  not  wish  to  make  of  public  .knowledge. 

Cf  the  Crows  and  the  Bois  Hrul^s  there  was  not  n  trace.  Sttdi  n  stomi 
could  have  made  one  huge  snowball  of  wanons  snd  eettle,  and  tmndled  it 
irrwiatiblj  down  the  steppes  into  the  gulliea  ^  the  Bad  Unde  ol  MontMuu 


CHAPTER  X!. 


TBK  IKKBSISTIBLI  BAIT. 


The  hand  trf  gold.grabberi«,  whose  prisoner  Miss  Maclan  had  bec(Mne,  had  mA 
the  snowstorm  supinely.  They  had,  besides,  obeyed  their  prudent  leader  »qr 
remaining  buried  in  its  protective  mantle  until  the  '<nv  was  broken.  The  ravine 
crest  had  quickly  been  banked  up,  so  that  shielded  them  ;  and  the  marshU...a, 
offering  no  poor  resistance  to  the  tempest.  li.-»d  turned  no  gusfs  back.  Tliey  had 
sufferer'  the  least  of  any  exposed  in  that  time  of  anguish.  The  danger  over, 
they  set  to  cleaning  the  camp  with  coar«e  jokes,  and  thronged  to  breakfa.-jt  at  • 
bugle  call,  after  having  worked  on  a  cup  of  coffee  alone  with  the  wolfish 
appetite  of  sojourners  in  that  high  latitude.  They  were  well  provisioned,  none 
of  the  wormy  "  crackars,"  rank  iXMrk,  and  burnt  toorse  bean  coffee  of  commerce, 
hut  good  flour  bread,  deer  and  bear  meat,  and  honest  salt  pork.  Captain 
Kidd  wouid  have  lost  half  the  troop  in  this  onerovs  wintry  expedition  with  «n 

inferior  table.  .     ,     ,    i  ji     »l  » 

For  the  leaders  a  marquee  had  been  erected,  raised  of  the  canvas  that 
sheltered  them  nightly,  in  which  a  folding  table  stood  on  picket  pins  for  legs, 
so  that  the  guests  could  squat  around.  Well  loaded  with  hearty  fare  and 
various  liquors,  it  was  the  article  of  furniture  most  prominent. 

The  captnin  and  his  lieuteaaots  were  received  by  a  youth  of  etghtewi,  who 
took  their  rifles  with  the  address  of  an  experienced  servant,  And  a  negro. 

As  soon  as  he  arrived  Kidd  bade  the  latter  withdraw. 

"  Vamos  !  'moosey  1 "  he  cried,  "  for  your  big  ears  are  not  wanted.  Tk*  Drudge 
will  do  the  waiting.  Tell  the  senor«  to  breakfast  with  her  new  toy  i  I  have  a 
business  conference  to  make  with  my  partners.  Mind,  none  of  your  sneaking 
curiosity,  or  I'll  .sell  you  to  the  Blackfeet  for  a  slave.    They  are  swarming 

out  there  I"  .,    , ,  t    c  >j 

The  negro  dived  under  a  flap  of  canvas  with  a  terrified  face,  as  mncn  atrawt 

ol  his  threat  as  of  his  master,  thus  evading  a  tin  platei  that  was  wantonly 

sHtnmed  after  him,  and  might  have  cut  his  head. '  ^  ,  ^  ^i. 

"Sit  to  it;  gentlemen,"  said  Kidd,  rubbing  hi*  hands,     and  dont  let  the 

good  tilings  get  cold."  .      .     ^.  t  rw    .« 

They  had  not  waited  for  this  apology  for  grat»  to  begin  the  meal  iiRe  so 

BUiny  cvftivora.     For  about  a  quarter  oi  an  hour  no  «»e  uttered  a  word. 


.AK 


.:'\    ' 


Thr  m  mm  Os^^^d, 


."■-^ 


^^.,  >'.'' 


«s<«pt  "  Pass  the  mustard,''  ''  Don't  let  tfaat  bottk  ff*  ¥>  ^^P  Ihart"  «iut  lift 
ou.  whilst  '*  Drud^'A  "  was  kept  on  the  trot. 

H?  was  onl/  &lMut  eighteen,  we  r«peit ;  bnt  he  «^petved  elder  ffev  beie;; 
tl^i«  large  ii»'t'\'*  joints,  muscular,  and  especially  from  thi«  n.iolution  on  his 
nac]^;  >M>an',jiuUi'Ce ;  he  was  »allow,  and  hb  restiess  eyes  dark.  H«  seeined  & 
prey  to  incurable  ^nelancholy.  Though  he  was  too  crafty  to  let  hJs  true  »•"»!- 
meats  be  cxpoi^ed,  it  «as  dear  that  he  served  these  ruffians  with  inw?  1  <^e^ug- 
3«nce,  not  <o  say  h.'Ured.  Two  of  them  in  particular  filled  him  with  ^t^piST, 
and  tb>3)'  always  ^poke  in  a  scomfid  and  threatetiifig  toMt ;  "hty  ewefe  stnc^k  him 
ani  kiclred  hi.-n,  <is  if  they  considered  him  theii  thrall.  These  were  "  Quarry 
Dick"  anJ  "  Lottery  Fai-.l,"  Kidd's  next  men,  of  whom  Mr.  Filditch  has  made 
an   vitflattering  mention.      Their  more  intimate  acquaintance  is  about  to  be 

,     The  chief  wi.s  tte  Srst  to  break  the  silence  with  a  Rrjonrk  titat  summed  up  the 
pieva'liiAj^  .■entiment,  no  dcubt,  as  all  growled  or  grinned  approvingly, 

"  The  Sturm  was  no  feather,"  he  said.  "  but  it  L,a  blown  over  nicely.  Old 
Nick  hw  taken 'first-rate  CJtre  of  hip  chicks." 

"  I  non't  think  anything  li«ss  wouid  faafe  polled  us  through  an  far,"  said  his 
fight  hand  neighbour  sarcastical!;'. 

"And  so  hn  ought.  We  gMrk  snfflitf  kiU'd  for  him,  you  bet  I"  «aid  his 
opoo.<)te,  empha'vically. 

^'To  say  nothing  at  what  we  arej^ngto  do  pretty  sooo  'on,'"  coadoded  >.< 
one  &«in^  the  captain,  upon  vhich  ull  four  iaugited. 

**  Yo3,  It's  hlc<rn  over,  and  o»u  old  friends  in  Tejcas  are  catching  it  about  ih'e 
timo.  i  )>eoc  h  wiit  wosh  tjte  slate  of  fMme  lA  VK'r  unpaid  scores  i«  oar-room^ 
I  COtitd  tell  yoa  «f!  But  care  killed  a  cat;  f'll  h«ve  none  of  that  in  my 
ttnnMer.  There's  only  one  thing  krpt  tm  awake  last  night,  and  that  yi4»  not 
tkc  thought  of  the  Jtorm." 

*' What,  my  friend  Corfey  }o«f "  in<iu!red  the  mptain,  who  seemed  *r,  (esl 
peculiar  affection  for  th"s  lieutenant. 

This  sfngular,  or  ewwi  outmc  title,  thtt  «{  the  wolverine,  otherwise  ef»«tt}ie^ 
tA  the  Canadian  ti-appers,  the  wickedest  wild  beest  of  North-West  America"^ 
fntfut,  seemed  no  misnomer  for  a  daredevil,  siM/ittKi,  malieisus,  akjrt,  quicir  to 
whip  ou^  a  knife  or  draw  a  pistol  to  back  his  impudent  and  defiant  opeech.  Tlio 
fiinest  shot  with  either  hand  was  he,  th«<  best  horseman  and  tiie  most  tirdess 
and  rcK  ible  sentinel  <rf  the  band. 

"  '  only  would  like  to  know  who  eut  off  oer  friends  in  ti«t  narrow  ways." 

''  Oh,  as  for  that,  the  girl  whom  we  t>rouQ:ht  in  alone  knows  ;  but  I  vm  sure 
iSttif  knew  we  were  '  nc  good  settlers,*  to  h.ive  laid  our  representatives  low.  1 
am  reserving  the  questioning  of  thai  girl  til!  our  more  important '  talk'  is  over. 
Light  your  pipes,  gentlemen,  if  you  are  done  polishing  your  eyeteeth,  aad  let  us 
hrTd  the  council." 

There's  one  thing  sure,*"  {Aservtd  the  Preachfnan,  "the  nftore  I  took  oh 
this  forsaken  country,  through  smoke  or  wit!)  a  char  eye,  whither  the  Cap.  has 
brou^  US,  the  mors  !in»l>  f  wih  I  had  it  weM  behind  me.  It'n  enough  to 
make  a  man  wish  he  was  a  gri«I" ;  nothing  else  can  thrive  hero.'' 

"  €o«a,  come,  Frcnchy,"  -smonstr.-ited  the  leader,  "  we  are  uomore  dc^i^'ed 
than  you.  It  is  not  here  I  mean  to  lay  out  Kiddville  '  but  there  is  n«  other  way 
to  the  port  whereto  I  stepr." 

**  Fort !  more  like  sllssK  water ;  Hsete""  n«t  an  ounce  jrf  anvtkln?  w<>rth  a 
man's  stooping  to  pick  lip  over  all  the  tracks  we've  crossed,  "the  fr^crt  is,  the 
hajoners  round  Varini  have  'stuffed'  yow  wltK  yarns  of  the  wonderland  whkh 
g«ts  farther  away  the  nearer  yctt  come  to  Uf     <^ifasam  about  tut  «aliey 


m» 


i'&i^'i 


1 


i*  i'.^'£^^ti:y.y. .  '.*  ''3^y\': :,  i- 


«ved  cldor  How  belsg 

thA  tvisolution  on  his 

»  dark.     He  se«nied  k 

ty  to  let  his  true  s^^M- 

ns  with  inw?'  1  rtfug- 

illed  him  with  dis^t^t, 

;  liktf  eveii  strnc'-i.  him 

These  were  "  Quarry 

Mr.  Filditch  has  made 

intance  ia  about  to  b« 

Mk  that  summed  up  the 

i  approvingly, 

owi>  over  nicely.    Old 

hrottgh  r>  far,"  said  bis 

im,  you  bet!"  (aid  his 

on '  4»,'^  coa{:Iaded>j 

re  catching  it  abont  vh*» 
lid  scores  i«  bar-roomk 
ve  none  of  th»t  in  iT.y 
sight,  and  that  W4S  not 

un,  wlio  seemed  *<>  fe«l 

rine,  otherwise  earmjie^ 
f  North -West  America"* 
nalieiixius,  alort,  quidr  t» 
and  defiant  speech.  Tho 
n  and  tite  most  ti-Tctiess 

B  tilt  narrow  ways." 
1  knows;  but  I  im  ««r» 
f  pepreseotatives  low.     I 
important '  t4lk '  is  over, 
your  eyeteeth,  B»i  1st  us 

1,  "the  more  I  look  en 
ye,  whither  the  Cap.  has 
hind  me.  It'n  enough  to 
hrive  hero." 

w«  (tra  QO  mora  detigli'e^ 
\>v%  tfatnt  til  lift  «Mii«r  wa,^ 

M»  o^  anvtlklnsr  W«wth  a 
•rcssed.    the  fn-H  is,  t 
of  the  'Vvinderi  lid  wh* 
inuaon  about  tite  w 


45 


coverod  wSth  surCaoa  gM  i  I  k»o«  wiiat  gr^l-heaxvts  earth  is,  haviag  been 
in  Californv  in  the  good  dd  years !  "  with  >  amack  of  the  Hps.  "  This  volcanic 
t.act  is  burnt  out.  Aay  •^oeUl  has  1  ing  «>-ice  melted  and  run  away  miles  belo»v. 
Either  you  have  swailowed  the  old  trap^r's  dniniien  moHtbings  W  gospel,  or 
you  have  let  Corky  Joe  here  gtt  you  la  a  coil  i  the  bigger  li«s  he'tciiv,  the 
mov»  v«i!  Uhs  hiai,  I  k«ii«v«  I    i  wouldn't  fiMpar  bis  lay -ou."^  <««  *n» .'   You  hear 

*'  Ym  kftep  my  name  out  of  i|f  i "  (.ri«t  44w  MKldsRl  aiiuded  ta,  «ritb  an 
unfriendly  tone. 

"  I'll  kick  you  out  of  it  if  yoc  hacd  t4t  MLrufi  I  am  aot  io  be  bhiffed  off  by 
yott,  ugly  face !  ThM  ii  a  free  couatry,  uin^  it  f  and  "ay  opiktioa  is  that  you 
fawn  on  the  chief  to  have  the  longest  pull  ai  hist  bottle  of  s«l««t  brai»iy  t  " 

Scarcely  were  the  words  spoken  before  the  Wolverine  r«&cht<i  across  the  low 
board  with  a  gleaming  bowie  knife.  Luckily,  th«  Frenclmiw  knew  the  man  he 
hadteunted,  and  threw  kimseiifaackt  wUci»  gure  Kidd  timt.  *o  ahor*  kimscif 
between. 

"  Pet  up  your  knives,"  he  roared.  "  Wiat  do  yo«  friendK  went  tfy  waste  a 
sta^  and  a  cuf  for  when  we  are  literally  surrounded  by.  the  ('KkUity  ?  It's  only 
when  we  have  eaten  the  last  rtjund  of  horseflesh  tkr.t  we  showid  earve  Wo 
another,  and  we  have  not  come  tc  ihat  comer  yet.  Ccit*,  come,  doc't  ri'e  mt 
witii  your  snarl  iacfl  " 

"All  right,  old  man,  that's  past  now,"  ratnrtMd  tba  Pailaiaa^  ^^oaiy  i^il 
eooM  to  a  settlemeat  before  wa  come  ta  the  s«ttle»iauk«  «r  i  Mt  Much 
iaJ»*5hiM — — " 

"  SUU  atlt,  ti'-^^vmi  ywti"  oifli  ti»  otptain,  iayiaj  kis  hr  «d  «&  kb  nmAt^ 
butt. 

"Ob,  BO,  ihats  oaly  «  katki  frkMdiy  caetion.  Here's  hia  bealtkl  AH  I 
have  lo  say  is  thit  if  you  hsd  listened  to  Dick  and  me,  who  wanted  to  'c1c4b 
up'  the  new  mint  tat  Dea<hrmn,  Wyoming,  instead  of  this  oocombed  sa/age, 
the  eareaiien,  who  bolsters  yoa  up  in  ycmr  obstinate  St  ts>  keM-  -on  going  ahead, 
we  should  not  be  where  .vnow.itorms  rage.  Why,  yoK  knew  m  down  south,  but;!, 
the  Wolv  ue  -vas  r.o  acquaintance  of  youin  a  tnontb  befoi««  you  ^athei;ed  tW^| 
gang;  ni       Ht  on  that  for  a  fact !  " 

"Ikat'fe   o,  Paul,"  returned  the  leader,  dieMttHy.  ^ 

"  Whynoteren  have  gone  throi^b  the  Mormon  eouiftrf  f  Vfk  all  knowthis? 
are  '  temperance  folk ' ;  but,  bless  yoa !  it's  aext  door  to  a  teetotel  t  that  one 
drinks  tiw  best  tarantula>iuice," 

**  That's  true !'  said  Dick, 

"I  daresay,"  replied  the  chief  iMn^,  "ttiat  {  have  gone  a  (rfSfiMilttrf  my 
•.**y,  jut  you  ottght  to  know  that  1  was  bound  to  i«save  no  '  pointer '  on  my  path 
as  to  my  trae  ain».  Tbinps  were  getting  too  hot  for  us  on  Ike  "yHder— we  ar<s 
well  oijt  of  fjfieriffs'  and  vigilance  commitiees'  ctiriosliw,  I  do  hoi  like  thetn 
being  »  many  folks  afoot  just  whitre  I  belierved  we  should  find  a  desert,  but 
wsrhaps  last  night's  bliszard  has  scattered  them  like  so  many  boK"  pd>M«t. 
What  do  you  think  of  our  scrape  ?"  he  demanded  of  Corky  joe. 

''.  Abort  as  bad  ks  they  make  'em,"  was  the  ttnha^tating  answer. 

"  What's  your  opinion,  Dicif  f" 

The  EngliiJi  es-convict  shook  his  head  sulkily.  ' 

"  It's  a  beast  of  a  country,"  he  grumbled.  '  There's  «tw«  iaomMh  $n  an 
hour  hen  than  would  fill  St.  James'  Pavk  f«»«^«Mfet  ft  wiH  '<*e  almosta  treat 
»>  baa  roast  at  a  redskin's  tsrturs  Sr«." 

"  I  concur,"  added  Lottery  Paul,  laughing.     "  All  right,  Quarryman,  w»  an 

o  of  a  pair,  and  I'll  rtick  to  )ou  whsn  you  sny    «j  must  claw  out  of  this  trap." 


«^* 


MHllliBI 


46 


7%e  Med  Ekier  mif'Bni&. 


der  ^re — the  traelr 
i<in«  does  not  show 
caving  escorted  you 


;   *'  Whaf  s  the  use  of  this  buHjnng  bounce  t"  cried  tlh*  d^taia.    "  Vffk^tt,  ail 
iethe-same  box,  aien't  wef"  »' 

-  "1  don't  kno\./  so  .much  abou^  that.  Paul  rnd  me  are  new  to  thh  wild 
trN.tnping  business,  and  never  came  to  such  "jasses  as  these  deuced  mountain 
parses  before^    The  Catifomian  Sierra  is  molehills  to  it !" 

"•  In  short,"  took  up  the  Frenchman,  "  w3  believe  your  gold  mine  is  afmnd. 
Yonr  course  so  far  t^nds  to  take  us  over  the  Rockies,  where  many  a  better  man 
has  left  his  bones,  and  though  a  solid  chunk  of  gold  as  big  as  u  house  awaits 
me  yonder,  I  have  my  reasons  not  to  go  ovet  to  the  Pacific  coast." 

"  Same  here,"  subjoined  the  English  felo»,  scowling. 

"  What  I  go  on  to  say  ia,  every  step  (ok-ward  means  h. 
jFOu  assured  us  were  derolate  am  growing  Injins,  your  gclc; 
,;Hp,  and  so,  give  us  a  couple  of  hundred  dollars  t^piece  for 
no  far,  and  we'll  march  off  on  our  own  hooks." 

"  That'fs  my  say,  too,"  coincided  Dick,  t'  '^ghted  with  the  PariMan'selonuence. 

"  I  liave  heart!  ycu  out,"  proceeded  the  captain,  smoothing  his  brow  with  an 
effort.  "  Now,  heariceo  to  me.  You  are  green  to  these  parts — very  v/ell. 
Ft  2m  my  youth  up  I  have  heard  stories  of  a  Wonder'and  on  whose  threshold 
we  now  are.  The  Indians  regard  it  with  awe,  and  only  peer  into  it  from  afar ; 
but  trapfker  and  hunter  have  penetrated  it  b,  design  or  hazard,  and  ail  their 
tales  carnot  be  camp-fire  lies.  Moreover,  they  have  brought  palpable  evidences 
to  the  bt>rdcr.  At  Santa  F6  I  earn  bled  with  a  trapper,  whose  jacket  was  bright 
with  ditjitond  batons,  stones  that  he  found  in  a  marTclloiis  garuen  where  the 
Itfirries  were  turned  to  petrifaction  as  ;hey  grew ;  the  choke-cherries  were  rubies^ 
l.hs  blufi  berrie-i  tuiquoises,  the  pigeon-berries  garnets,  the  Indian  piaars  (lawless 
crystal.  He  had  collected  a  pouchful  in  half  an  hour,  for  which  a  '  w  at 
St.  i'eiar's  ^aye  him  eight  hundred  dollars  a^  they  were  turned  over  t«  m  ia 
tteroBgh. 

"Did  you  ever  meet  'Oregon  01,'*    in    your  nutliag  about?      He's  a 
iijNor' wester  who  has  traversed  this  region  more  than  most  j  he  never  wants  for 

jM,  and  Kfi  hardly  takes  a  ;rap  out  with  him,  and  often  brings  l>ack  tite  powder 
itarted  with.  And  Marcellin's  Clioctaw  Boy,  and  Hopeful  Ed.,  and  Sinimios 
fh«;  Knifer,  aU  famili».r  with  the  Yellowstone  River  to  its  uppermost  forks. 
They  have  iin»jd  their  pockets  without  bandiinj'  the  spade,  on  surface  flakes 
aikms.  And  Jim  Ridge,  the  father  of  tho  Old  Birds  ot  the  Sierras— with  his 
«tipp<iirfa(.-»i  companion  the  Cherokee  I"  he  went  on,  with  a  deep  and  sudden 
Itrawri  tied  a  baleful  glance,  "  look  at  their  equipments,  at  the  way  they  buy  the 
tiKiRam  ot'  everything,  and  take  two  or  three  trains  a  year  up  into  the  highlands. 
What  >si  all  that  for  7  Provisioning  themselvM  for  staking-out  all  the  be.$t  spots 
„.lo  an  ftiirilfrous  region — the  mother-iand  of  the  gold  and  silver  of  which  mere 
i.jl|l«ihin$s  go  down  thither  by  driblets  )     Those  mountaineers  are  leagued  with 

bn  Ynger,  and.  they  have  found  an  enormouslysrirh  hole  in  the  Yellow^ne 
Bash),  There's  enough  to  make  each  of  us  twenty  times,  ay,  fifty  times  a  mil- 
lionaire, find  thos<^  dozen  hunters -selfishly  sl,and  us  oSl  Gio  your  way,  if  yoo 
are  bent  on  it,  witliout  any  dollars  from  me,  I  will  persevere,  though  I  am  left 
^alonp,  in  strivine  to  »Test  this  secret  from  that  wew.  I  tell  ycu,  boys,  I  have 
piad  onough  (if  a  nard  life  with  the  prospect  of  v^.^iking  off  a  mule's  back  till  a 
rope  I'ound  irty  neck  brings  me  to  a  short  slop,  I  w«nt,  with  the  worst  kind  of 
want,  to  go  see  Europe  with  a  big  dtaft  on  the  Bank  ot  England,  and  have  sottte 
.OS  these  Eye-talian  j/irincelings  biaitk  my  toota  before  I  die  in  'tm." 

Th*n,  seeing  that   he  had  kindled  his  haarers  with  cupidity,  he  concluded  t 


*  'Axi  Tub  Tkgasusk  oe  ttAHLH  io  Hum  sur'ais. 


Si  'Wr'^^swte  BttiU 


47 


ptain.    "  We  are  all 

re  new  to  this  wiW 
16  deuced  mouhteio 

jold  mine  is  a  fraud. 
B  many  a  better  man 
ig  as  a  house  awaits 
;  coast." 

rder  i^re — the  tractb 
mine  doe*  not  show 
having  escorted  you 

Parinan's  eJoouence. 
ing  his  brow  with  an 
ise  parts — very  well. 

on  whose  threshotd 
eer  into  it  from  afar ; 
hazard,  and  all  their 
bt  palpable  evidences 
lose  jacket  was  bTight 
>us  garden  where  the 
s-cherriea  were  r  ubie«, 

Indian  pears  gawless 
,  for  which  a  J  "  ** 
turned  over  to    ow  in 

iag  about?      He's  a 
t ;  he  never  wants  for 
rings  back  the  powder 
etui  Ed.,  and  Stwimins 
1  its  uppermost  forks. 
^«,  on  surface  flakes 
the  Sierras— with  his 
h  a  deep  atid  sudden 
t  the  way  they  bay  the 
up  into  the  highlands. 
f-ovA  all  the  best  spots 
(d  silver  of  which  mews 
leers  are  leaeiued  with 
lie  in  the  Yeliowstone 
s,  ay,  fifty  times  a  mil- 
Go  your  Way,  if  you 
evere,  though  I  am  idt 
I  tell  you,  bows,  I  ha'/e 
off  a  mule's  back  till  a 
with  the  worst  kind  of 
ingland,  and  have  some 
He  in  \m" 
idity,  he  concluded<^^ 

« sertijs. 


"  Who  5oT^  geld  gsioKj,  comes  abng  with  Mr.  Pirate  King !  " 
"  I  catch  on,"  ened  Joe,  as  if  inspirited.  .•».„# 

"They  do  say,thoV,  thai  the  Yellowstone  V»«ey  is  haunted-sptnts  of 
Injin  deVils  guard  Utel.icalcttlabie  treasures,  spit  hot  ^ison  at  th«  .nvad^r, 
smWerhiia  in  scalding  mud,  shower  rocks  uDon  him  from  all  bl^«s-so  if 
you  are  afraid  of  wh*t  haS«'l  d,,i,ntkd  Old  Jim  anS  his  band.  «hy. '«f  *«  »«_f  "^  1°^ 
to  have  the  firei  chaa  •  rise '  on  you  when  we  meet  in  Nevada  City,  me  and  Joe 
n^^xThSrT^^^  ^th  whisky,  good  hotel  g«b,  a»rf  gold  and  diamond, 
nnd^yo? scrafiug  She  g.itt«r  for  tb^  lime^  swept  out  of  the  stores !  ,  If  "^  to« 
if  i  Jten  days  wt  aje  «**  kne..  deep  in  golden  sands,  m  a  vale  where  eternal 

'^'^ZL'trL'T.^fZT:::^r:S'^t^lx^  Uke  fanned  coals,  the 
EnlSm^rpa«tK4ily  «nd  ground  his  tU  with  a  buH-dog's  anticipatory 

*■  "  We  are  on  a  ^*«  89ft  tWoff  now,"  pursued  the  captain,  clinching  the  nail 

Which LTadTivThS^.  ^^-'^h'^^r.^ri^ '  r^r^Jt dH 

vei9>  of  bad  hick  has  fined  «ut  to  a  h»ir,  and  that  fortune  is  going  to  do  a 

""""An  right,"  said  9Iok,  *fter  a  gl««ce  at  the  Frenchman,  who  nodded,  "  we'll 

^"ThS'a'tttrlnk  round.  Toe.  pick  me  out  four  or  five  fellows  who 
can  use  snowshoes  without  laying  tliemselves  up  with  the  ^J'*  ^<^<P"^  ^^^H 
Soe  lamenets),  and  let  them'scout  about  to  see  if  the  Indian  sign  crops  u? 

over  the  ne*- snows."  .         „   ,      ^      _       „»,»«« 

The  lieutenant  htving  left  the  tent,  the  captain  pulled  out  a.njaP  «»  s^^P' 
skin,  and  e^rplained  in  letail  where  he  s«r-n.sed  **>«  t'^^"!« '^  '''« ''^P^!^,'^ 
be,  and  wh^«  he  also  hoped  to  surprise  Jim  Ridge  '"  ««»  P"^"^"  ^f^^*' 
His  e«thnsi«tic  promises  and  the  effect  of  the  liquors  restored  the  recalcitrant 

^ir^ftirt^foSrhrscouts  retumed.pleadln^hat  his  snowj^ 
wem  unable  to  help  him  over  a  snow-coated  cUn.ga,  or  W  swamp:jr  stretch 
T^.^  he  would  have  sunk  and  been  smothered.  But,  in  the  captains  ear  he 
wSe^d  a  communication  which  set  that  worthy  to  reflection.  At  vhe  end  of 
Tt,  he  Sed  Lottery  Paul  to  take  the  rackets  a..d  go  of!  ««vestigatinr  m  a 
Srtaki  direction,  ordered  Joe  to  keep  good  guard  over  the  camp,  and  took  0kk 
with  biwi  00  an  exploration  of  his  own.    ,        „  ..       .  ^„„„.^.- 

Installed  withoift  any  hostile  spies  at  his  elbow  as  provisional  commander, 
r*rte-  Joe  smiled  to  himself,  and  muttering :  ''  N.>th.ng  could  have  lK«n  better 
kSV«^  *»  t^"*"'"  **«  f«^<=^ded  towards  tl»  rocks,  where  Drudge  was 
jjteRdiog  on  guard  over  a  naj^terious  doorway. 


The  Med  Mmr  M^U-. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


VMBC*    Tm     MAtJC 


Wrbn  Cwtny  Joe  luidl  atmoit  ccmm  up  bo^dte  Otta^ge,  tlte  !at*«r  «cch»nfe(I  a 
knowing  jjlance  with  him,  and,  drawing  «  aheeJ;  <H'  tarpautio  wide  trom  the 
doorway  in  the  rocks,  elided  like  a  Mfp^tit  within-  As  the  cahvas  fell  behind 
him,  the  bandit  c<-ptaij*s  repr(«aentative  calmly  to«^  *he  seotinei's  ptac«, 

Drudge  entered  a  kind  of  passage  between  locks,  covered  over  with  tr«e 
stuff  and  mud,  with  the  $«ow  heaspeS  on  tkxit  aga»n  t<i  hermeticatly  roof  it  ift. 
Thus  to  a  second  doorway  of  a  cevo,  he  fotmd  a  haoging  of  buAftlo  robes 
fastened  on  a  cottonwooJ  rod. 

He  hemmed  and  haw«d  a  couple  of  times  to  give  a  polite  notification  of  liia 
Approach,  and  after  making  smv  foe  was  atene,  ittepped  within  tlt«  fur  ptvtiirf. 

Prairie  travellers  arc  like  the  Turks  in  carrying  with  them  such  furniture  <» 
may  transform  a  cave  or  a  k«t  into  a  nesi  of  lusury.  Captain  Kidd  had,  there- 
fore, had  a  delightful  snuggery  made  of  the  df-^-out,  !ir  with  rugs,  blankets 
jind  fur3,  so  that  cold,  damp,  and  wind  were  exclude'  n  the  centre  of  this 
'^l»ir,  too,  a  large  silver  chafing  dish,  which  might  have  t»f.-  stolen  from  some 
'ICentfal  Ammrican  church  tressttry,  c^otaia'id  clear  piae  kaots,  which  diffttsed 
rather  an  agreeable  and,  e<nrtain)y,  m  wholesume  odour.  T^e  low  *«at3  were  all 
folding,  to  be  transported  readily,  S»ut  were  hea|^  with  fv  rs.  A  couch  of  the 
•* '  »  valuable  iimterial  vras  occapj^d  I9  a  s.'ecp.<i>g  girl  1  it  WM  pi^c  Miw 
Maclan,  tr-tking  up  with  a  prolorged  rest  for  her  exhaustiot , 

in  a  hammock  of  gras«M:loth,  hung  low,  another  girl,  younger  aod  .slighter, 
with  ft  tnjly  American  complexion  and  contour,  geotly  was  fJwinging.  She  was 
wall  within  her  ttens  ;  a.  sweet  ar.t'  lofty  type  of  beauty  i;5«;ll«  as  Raphael  and 
Murillo  painted  in  their  most  tnspir^o  moments^  Her  large  black  eyes  seemed 
to  reflect  thoughts  oftanercf  heavon  tiian  (A  aajth  ;  her  transpar^^i  skia,  fine 
ax  saim,  showed  the  blMs  net.w^>rk  of  rho  delicate  w>ias,  and  o£?ered  a  violent 
contrast  to  black  hair  ir^  thick  nud  loi>^  tresses.  Her  irresistibk  cbann  vua 
heighteood  by  the  peitn»aent  aftd(««M  whtch  cohered  her  Unea*nsats  and  «om> 
pelted  (»'iiy.  &hn  smiled  faintly  on  beholding  DradgQ,  a^id  imde  him  w«lGoiqie 
in  a  tuneful  voice  a£  she  gay«  bim  her  iitde  iiaad. 

"  But  I  ought  to  scold  you,  f risn^"  a^«  s«id,  "for  coming  too  ofteo.  If  th»t 
bateful  manj  whose  very  slave  I  am,  should  catch  you  here,  wl&ore  ^  u  could 
jfind  r    caccose  to  be,  ill  would  befai!  you." 

''  That's  so,  senyorita,"  the  youth  replied,  lightly  ^oough,  "but  yon  need  BOi 
be  alarmed  about  me  this  time.  My  oni)  djmger  is  that  /ou  will  think  me 
intrusive.  Captain  Kidd  h»,8  left  the  camp,  and  the  depth  of  tbe  snow  makes 
goln^'  so  slow,  that  J  should  not  wonder  it  he  made  a  long  stay  of  jtt'  Thay 
hftvr  'oen  having  another  jangle,  all  iit  my  hearing,  for,"  he  went  on,  with  a 
bitter  smile,  "  they  reckon  me  as  an  idiot,  and  go  on  an  if  noFKidy  were  by." 

"  Poor  Leon  I  "  she  sighed,  kindly. 

"  Don't  be  sorry  about  that,  s«njorita,"  he  hastened  to  proceed,  "  Ut  that'V 
my  safeguard.  Otherwise  I  cotild  not  watch  over  you  as  ov«r  a  sist*  c.  Tho 
hour  is  nigh  for  me  to  piovs  my  devotion,  rocthifti::^.''' 

♦'  I  ■!>tty  well  know  that  I  can  count  o.'i  Loon  with  entire  trtist,  U  not*WiCi!«i««, 


■■'-.■■-v>T  ,"■  ■--"' 

.X/nffcr  the   tfash 


49 


e  !at*er  ©jtchiwgei  a 
ilia  uide  from  the 
,e  canvas  Ml  behind 
ftU««)'«  plac«r 
ered  over  with  tree 
-metically  roof  it  >n. 
tag  <rf  b\^{»{o  robes 

te  notificatioi!  of  his 
hin  the  fur  poriiire. 
im  such  furniture  as. 
tain  Kidd  had,  there- 
with rugs,  blankets 
4(1  the  centre  of  this 
icn  stolen  from  some 
:iSi>t»,  which  diftised 
'\t«  tow  teats  were  all 
^ttk  A  couch  of  the 
i  1  k  wm  p«or  Miss 
at. 

wimger  and  sSighter, 
» rj«dnging  She  was 
f^Hch  as  VAf^ael  aod 
ge  black  oycs  seemed 
'r&nspar(a)t  skiu,  fine 
and  oSered  a.  violent 
■resistihie  ch&rm  w%^ 
Unea'neats  and  eom- 
id  i>ade  hijn  w«lcoKpe 

Mg  too  often.    U  th%t 

lere,  vc&ore  J  u  couid 

h,  "but  yoo  need  not 
it  /ou  will  think  me 
th  of  the  snow  makoi 

sag  stay  of  it*,'  They 
r,"  he  went  on,  with  a 
:  nof»ody  were  by." 

:o  proce^ixi,  "  fcr  that's 
as  over  a  aiat*  c.    Th« 


our  hop^  thesitCiJ'      ,, ,_   _ „  _, 

your  impl-xaUe  hatred  for  this  wretch  who 


Misfortune  unites  ns.    But  I  must  own  t^ at,  knowing 
holds  us  in  his  powe.,  1  am  often 


troso 


»^  cause, 


afrajil  th.it  jyou  wifl  burst  out  into  some  impruden'»  that  will  destroy  jrou  and 
leave  me  without  a  friend  in  the  world.  Unless,"  ihe  addetj,  with  a  "gftince  «t 
the  sleeper,  whom  their  sulidued  tones  did  not  aifect,  "  this  is  a  new  friend 
whcflrt  heaven  has  accordeu  me  in  my  distress." 

"  Rathfft  a  spy  whwn  the  odious  captain  thinks  to  plant  tn  your  coofidence," 
retmned  Leon,  with  jealousy  and  doubt.  *'  Coining  irom  the  captain,  I  would 
not  take  an  angel  as  a  beirig  of  light." 

"You  ara  wrong  there.  We  have  not  exchaneed  a^.^  wor^,  Leon,  f-jt 
airatdv  we  are  sisters.  Thirirkl  she  has  lost  a  father  laiVy,  and  has  been 
huntci.  ?.v  Indians  I  Poor  ajrl}  ber  fate  is  at  least  as  dnsad.'ul  as  mint,  and 
her  hei..it^nmaih  Mill  i)t«^il>&  W«  can  trust  her,  though  I  hava  not  told 
heralL" 

"  Tell  her  nothing  superfluous,"  he  cried.  "  The  slave  must  ht  ean^ng  pr>d 
prudsnt,  or  he  will  n«vsr  have  the  chance  to  obtain  his  freedom.  Haay  a  trmo, 
though,  !  have  let  go  the  chance  to  obtain  it  alone."  « 

"  You  were  right  1  for  whet  would  have  become  of  a  boy  fifee  you  in  these 
deserts  in  a  storm  such  as  shook  the  earth  last  night  f   You  would  b»;  a  mite  !  " 

{..eon  the  Drudgf  smiled  djsdainfuily,»Q4  ^  ^ale  face  was  set  in  ar/  expression 
of  energetic  will, 

"That  is  not  the  fearthat  held  me.WMiyortbi,"  he  replied.  "  I  am  yotmg,but 
Indian  boys  go  on  the  war-path  at  my  age.  I  have  broken  in  horses  that  gteat 
men  about  this  camp  have  bhiank  from  "backing,  and  can  back  a  mule  or  fiie  a 
shot  to  the  ceil  ';  with  any  of  them,  hut  for  my  double  oath,  1  should  havabeen 
aioije— -yes,  bu.  ire*  on  the  prairie,  long  before  this !" 

"  Explain !  for  you  speak  beyond  my  comprehension." 

"  Scnyorita,  I  made  a  vow  to  be  revenp-d  on  this  horde  of  viliainotis  men, 
and  not  to  fly  save  with  you.  You  have  not  been  spared  s«  long  but  for  some 
fiendish  end  which  a  man  of  honour  i<t  bound  to  loathe  beforehand  and  baffle 
when  discovered.  That  is  why  I  remain,  and  why,  however  tewipting  iho 
opportunities  to  slip  away,  I  shall  remain  until  tt  is  possible  Iot  ym 
tollowmc."  ^* 

•'Alas!  I  am  too  cli»ely  guarded  for  that.    A  prlHtes*  dould  nv.    be  i 
narrowly  w.itched  if  she  were  affianced  to  the  Rrandest  king  on  earth  and  by 
iscr  hand  her  father  would  be  saved  from  ruin."^ 

"  Maybe  you  are  more  free  than  you  imagine,  scnyorita." 

"  Now,  pray  do  not  fill  me  with  any  baseless  hopes.  And  talk  less  loud,  lest 
you  awTukp  <n&t  poor  slumberer.  Alas!  I  weep,  it  being  only  a  girl — a  child 
who  is  1 -.capable  of  doing  anything  but  wail  and  pray  for  deliverance." 

"  Y'juy  defepders,  if  not  deliverers,  are  at  hand." 

•'  .44  band  ?  I  see  no  one  but  you,  poor  boy,  and  this  sorrowing  womftn, 
wJio  can  only  pray  with  me." 

"  I  <4ik  of  arjcfl — ni«o  determined,  able,  and  dating-^one  of  whota  you  have 
»4en," 

"  The  m»a  they  call  the  Wdverinc!  "  she  ejaculated,  fci^ii(^  Inbt  ej^s  liks  a 
chiUl  to  whom  Bogey  was  promised  to  appear,  "  A  man  that  terrifies  me  !     He 
is  tjio  !set?oftd  self  of  this  horrid  Captain  Kidd.     His  name  pourtrays  him,  and 
bis  4|hi;  fil!»  me  wifh  ^t^tii," 
Dnidgo  f  miied  softly,    i 

"  WKat  fc.-;s  bis  osiM' and  fcis  appearance  got  to  do  i^lh  itf  "ha  cried. 
"  Utiih  mav  ha  ^«i  /»ii  f  the  g^m  and  "old  are  »ot  at  all  "f*iv>ss*issi!S'''  wh**" 
naturaL    I^awflMi'iiiJMyh>'>>esUc  da^  v-scg^  being  devou]^«l  by  Ibe'praifie 


'iW-' 


WSfeed. 


wol\r«s  wbea  abandpned  at  a  camp  P  He  joins  them,  fn»k«  with  th*»,  (Wd 
howls  more  loudly  than  they!  it  Corkey  Joe  resembled  a  mis  ,onary,  h© 
would  stand  preUy  conspicuous  out  from  our  gang  of  Border  ^Mirors.  It  is  oy 
putting  on  their  stylo  that  he  has  hoodwinked  them."  .,...( 

"  oil,  if  I  could  be  suru  that  you  are  not  cheated,  and  that  this  tnght  ot  a 
inan  is  truly  what  you  aay  I  "  i.       »_  •    «.  i.: 

•'  I  say  so  straight.  The  Carcajieu  may  or  may  pot  be  a  bewty,  but  bis 
look  is  only  skin  deep  anyhow.  Ill  aniwer  for  hla  feuthfuioesa  with  my  owa 
baad.    I  know  what  he  is  worth."  V 

*'  No,  l' cannot,  senyorita,"  ^le' interrupted  sharply.  "  I  premised  to  keep  the 
sectmt.    No  more,  beyond  his  being  your  most  devoted." 

"  Now,  Leon,  do  not  fill  me  up  with  a  belief  of  Which  thersmoral  would 
be  besirt-breaking '" 

"Nofearofthi      enyoiital" 

"  Very  jvell  j  apite  of  the  repulsion  he  causes,  1  will  be  polite  to  mm, 
kind—!  will  even  speak  to  him " 

"Why  nut  at  once  P" 

"  Oh,  not  at  once  I"  ,         .  ,.       . ,  -. 

•'  I  say  that  is  best,  for  It's  a  first-rate  chance,  the  captain  and  the  chiefs 
being  out  of  the  camp,  and  Joe  the  ruling  spirit.    Do  you  consent  to  receiva 

'•  But  I  would  rather— that  is,  a  little  preparation.  JjA  me  consult  nrfth  tfeis 
young  lady." 

"  ft  is  not  her  secret !     Do  jon  waver  P  do  you  recoil  r  , 

"  No  I"  she  cried,  at  the  taunt,  with  a  duscisive  tone,  which  itartled  and 
thrilled  him ;   "  let  hir.i  come  I  go,  brtng  him,  Loon !" 

"  Ha  waits  yonder,  as  the  &et<try  in  my  stead.'' 

"  Let  hJm  come,  and  heaven  grant  that  you  are  not  deceived  I         ... 
•  As  Drudge  departed  the  young  girl  leaned  bieathlessly  forward  with  aa 
fflxioi«  gaae  for  the  psraon  who  replaced  him  in  tlw  doorway. 

Behind  Coi key  Joe  the  screen  fell,  forming  a  antk  backgifwund  to  set  fc^ 
figure  off.  The  righthand  man  of  tl>c  goldseekers'  leader  had  not  mWJiiied 
his  aspect  or  apparel,  and  yeS  there  W9S  a  change  which  euclttd  an  cxciarna- 
tion  of  surprise  from  the  girl.  His  step  was  firm,  his  usa.iHy^  3ter«  and 
spiteful  face  beaming  with  p^ty  and  frankness.  The  featares  that  had  orijfinaawS 
invincible  repulsion  were  still  there,  but,  with  the  morose  and  mock-ng  eapres- 
slon,  had  varished  all  foundation  for  distnist  and  diead.  He  stepped  foS«»aKO 
and  saluted  her  respectfully. 

She  glanced  towards  the  sleeper. 

"  Let  her  rtspose,"  he  observed,  with  even  more  sympathy  in  his  eyes  oi  «old 
tteel  blue ;  "  she  will  nesd  her  strength  restored  for  what  we  all  flv»y  hziMS  to 
tjass  through."  .  ,  „   . 

"No  doubt,"  she  sis'hed.  Fixing  a  clear  gsute  on  the  max  she  smiled 
fftintly,  and  promptly  f  eld  out  her  hand,  saying,  "  HfAveo  bless  yt»M,  unsii*. 
pei:ted  friend,  for  beii  g  alone  in  this  host  at  beartfess  mm,  U>  iake  tom> 
interest  in  a  poor  orphan  1"  ^     i.  j 

"SenyoriU,"  answend  Joe,  in  Spanush- American,  which  ttWigue  she  hao 
used,  "  I  hav«i  only  joinci  this  bad  set  at  the  peril  of  my  life,  i.n  puraiianoe  Of 
my  duty,  incidental  to  which  come*  in  the  rescue  of  jkn/' 
"  Leon  told  me  so." 
"  tTien  he  snake  the  tnith." 

The  brief  sibnce  wau  tucokiin  by  I 


fM  Bmii\ful  Ptkener't  Wkni, 


Jt 


a  rai     onary,  he 
r  Terrors.    It  Is  by 

M  thU  fri|^t  of  a 

!  «  bemty,  but  Ws 
iness  with  my  ow» 

cmJsedto  keep  the 
tbetsmo^ai  woaW 


)tsufi  and  iht  cWefa 
4  consent  to  receivs 

me  consult  tx^th  <*^ 
whicb  Jtartled  and 


•'  i  ««a  tJmost  worry,  tliougii,  that  you  havw  wntwed  to  apeak  to  «■.©»  ^s 
said ;  "  the  captain  i«  feo  Jealous  a  ^ant,  that  anything  makes  me  tresnble. 
Still,  your  voice  inspires  a  confidence  ol  which  I  was  very  much  m  want,  and, 
notwithstanding  your  not  enjjaginf  appearance—"  for  the  sun^mc  a»«med 
to  have  left  Lieutenant  Joe's  countenance  again,  so  that  he  glowered 
unpNwantly  m  evef—  "something  witli<ii  tells  ma  that  your  heart  ^i«  Wo 
geod  to  deceive  me,  and  tliat  vou  really  intend  to  do  me^  good  service. 

"  The  little  bird  in  your  ho'som  sings  the  truth,  senorita.  It  needs  must,  I 
8}tall  lay  down  my  life  to  save  yours— though  that's  no  more  than  an  Amencan 
■  5  brought  up  to  do  for  the  fail  sex.  As  for  my  looks,  those  artist  fellows 
don't,  come  out  her*  to  paint  tailor's  models  and  opera-lobby  heroes.  Bemdes, 
if  vou  ever  saw  a  church  procession  in  Mexico,  you  may  remember  the  Devil 
that  the  miwka  flog  and  the  boys  pluck  by  the  tail.  He's  no  pattern  of  manly 
beauty :  b*t,  very  often,  ha  is  the  widow's  son  »nd  the  best  young  ma«  of  %he 
towfi,  come  to  shuck  off  his  mask  and  shear  off  the  claws,  'ShouMat 
wonder,"  he  went  on,  smiling,  "but  that,  witlwut  paint  and  powder,  your 
bridegroom  wotiid  be  pretiy  jealous  if  he  had  me  for  best  man  and  I  dr«w 
the  bridesiriaids'  eyes  to  my  corner.  At  pre»»t,  my  ugly  mug,  and  my  tal^ 
and  my  warpath  gait  are  tco  tisrful  to  be  laid  on  the  shelf.  I  fhank  yoa 
sineereiy,  young  kdy,  for  the  confidence  you  aire  kind  enough  to  put  there,  la 
my  band,  and  it  will  not  be  a  parrot's  age  before  1  shall  try  to  justify  it. 

"  I  believft  you,  aenyor,  and  I,  too,  shall  be  glad  to  have  the  tim*  come- ' 

"  And  now,  momiiats  being  couated,  to  ouitioess  I  We  may  nevfsr  get  siwh 
*  QUSBce  again." 


Jived  V  ^ 

sly  forward  wil 
way.  . . 

ackg!?<>«nd  to  set  Jirt 
ler  had  not  modified 
eUelted  an  exclama- 
1,13  usually  steif  and 
res  that  had  originaiBa 
i  and  tnock'ntf  expres- 
He  stepped  fosxraxa 

thy  in  his  eyet  o?  cold 
at  we  all  «ft»J  haw  to 

fthc  ina,i,  glite  stnaeS 
,ven  bless  you,  ansa*. 
tt  Men,  w»  ^^  soiaf» 

which  t«iwif;«.«  -she/lm^ 
ny  U£e,i.o  piifsiatwew 


CHAPTER  XIIL 

TUK  BBAUtirUL  raSSOKXB'S  FRtSMD. 

!m  qnick,  clear  tones,  the  double-flaying  licuUinaat  of   the  pr^rie  pirate 

rwswned hi» speech.  .  ,*     .         -  »    i,.^  ^  « 

•'  A  full  «Htplanation  aboat  me  would  lead  us  tfar,  so  come  to  the  essential 
point," »»id  he.  "To  begin  with,  when  you  wa  it  to  ask  Or  «ll  ma  9c«wthi'«, 
let  Drudije  knoiir  it.    He  w  compk-toly  devoied  to  you." 

»  And  as  we  must  Iwk  ahead,  it  being  likely  thut  Captain  KSdd  may  fee  hi  a 
whim  orior  gsjod  reasons  foibi4  you  visitors,  heire  i*  a  Itttle  scroll  »n  Spanish, 
williwto  Is  raikda  Table  of  .Second  Sight  Signals,  used  by  confurois.  The 
aueetiona  are  innocent  aitd  commonplace  enough,  but  they  stand  for  phrases 
of  meanimg.  You  can  address  me  thus  direct  on  tiie  tmtm,  and  tkot  »  soul 
lian  smsper*  we  are  carrying  on  a  correspondsnce." 

**  r»  soon  have  that  by  heart,  senjor,^'  she  exclaiimed. 

'And  teach  this  young  friend  the  same.  The  captam  will  have  his  woi* 
Ctit  cut  with.tvro  wom'.a  leagued  against  him  and  a  spy  in  the  garrison,  I 
p'-omiiaevou.  "MeverthisleBS,  you  mus,  bear  In  miiid  that  patience  a»d  stratagem 
will  alone  hr;c*g  us  success.    Keep  up  your  beariiJi!  of  dislike  to  me,  in  otixt 

»t.a'i  .i.4»..<l(r  can  atms*  u«>  are:  secrellv  in  tie." 


iiin.te,r-il 


5» 


Tiu  Hcd 


"  Understandiiu^  all  the  importanue  of  that  advie*,  I  shall  conform  to  it," 
"  Captiin  Kiddis  aty,  tad  at  tlw  faiatast  hint  of  oar  teUtions,  It  would  b« 
all  over  with  me." 

"  I  shail  oLoy  you  in  all  ways,  lenyor,  and  you  shall  be  aatisfied  with  your 
pupil,"  she  said,  gently,  but  firmly. 

''  One  question  -.  what  is  Captain  Kidd's  behaviour  towards  you  ?  " 

"So,  so;  his  is  an  overbearing  character  of  scif-will,  and  he  is  inscnvblo^o 
sentiment )  often  days  pats  without  his  thinking  to  throw  a  word,  gooil,  bad  or 
indifferent  towards  me  ;  but  I  must  honestly  confers  that  he  never  forgets  the 
respect  due  to  my  sex,  ago,  and  education.  However  impulsive,  absurdly 
freakish,  and  even  passioaate  ha  night  bc'*too,  many  a  daughter  is  less  ill- 
treated  than  me  his  prisoner." 

"  Ifs  a  comfort  to  learn  that  there,  is  one  bright  tpot  in  that  dark  heart. 
My  plans  as  regards  him  depend  on  the  information  I  heap  up.  So  tell  mc  I 
you  ever  knew  the  captain  before  he  aiole  you  away  from  your  boarding- school 
at  New  Orleans,  kept  by  the  Misses  Featherley  ?  " 

"  I  really  cannot  answer  jrou  with  a  certainty,  cenyor.  Still,  there  is  now  and 
tiieti  a  tone  of  his  voice,  and  even  a  look  of  his  eyes  (which  I  remarked  tn  l>« 
very  strong  to  require  spectacles)  not  .\ltogethe'r  new  to  me.  I  may  b« 
deceiving  myself  as  to  that,  but  I  am  pretty  sure  that  he  it  disguised  morti  or 
less." 

"  If  h»  ««n>  known  to  jrou  In  your  earliest  year*,  where  would  that  be  7  " 

"Why,  senyoi,  as  I  speak  Spanish  and  English  as  if  Ibcy  w«rd  born  In  me, 
having  only  had  to  acquire  French  at  New  Orleans,  I  have  always  believed 
what  was  told  me,  that  my  father  was  an  English  merchant,  who  married  a 
Mexican  lady,  and  that  I  lost  both  of  them  by  an  Indian  attack." 

"  Who  introduced  you  at  that  fichool,  where  the  terms  were  high,  I  have 
heard  sayf" 

"  It  was,  indeed,  a  fashionable  seminary.  I  was  an  orphan,  true,  but  soin« 
near  kinsman  was  taking  care  of  my  future." 

"Who  was  this?" 

"  I  never  saw  him,  and  his  steward  only  once.  I  cannot  ev'^n  describe  him, 
but  an  elder  schoolmate  pictured  him  as  a  middle-aged  man,  stout  and  strong, 
not  particularly  tall,  stern  and  dark,  with  a  shiftiti!.^  eye  and  rough  skin." 

"  And  his  name  ?  " 

"This    major. d«nw   was   called    Mathias   Coi-v!no.      One   of    the    M>< 
Featherleys  told  me  that  he  had  became  an  independent  gentientan,  and  itv 
in  New  York  in  great  style." 

"  Do  you  suppose  that  in  the  husk  of  Captain  Ki  !d  (Maid  abide  this  9an» 
Mathias  Coi-vino,  senyoritaP** 

"  I  have  not  the  skill  to  say  so,  but  when  the  captain  is  aagry,  I  am  rvmindc^d 
<rf  that  man." 

"  Your  information  Is  to  the  point,  and  has  its  value.  Well,  whatevsr  the 
disgu!:»eof  our  friend  the  captnin,  depend  upon  it  th'.t  in  tiot*  i  shall  have 
him  at  bay,  and  he  will  show  his  real  traitorous  face !  " 

''  And  now,  may  I  just  put  one  question  to  you,  senyor  }  * 

"Goahead." 

"  You  know  many  things,"  she  observed,  very  jfravoly,  and  laputog  into 
English  unwittinely.     "  Pray  tell  vn".,  have  I  parents,  have  I  k'.nsfolk  ?  " 

"Yes.  A  mother,  no ;  a  father,  yes — if  he  has  not  passed  away  during  a 
jnttr.     A  brother  younger  than  you  too  I  " 

"  A  brother!    Oh,  tell  me  about  him." 

"  2  aia  sorry  to  say  that  1  am  quite  ignorant  of  the  late  •(  yoof  t<rothec  Lenrif." 


^iS£» 


1  coiiforra  to  it," 
latiorts,  It  would  b« 

ntisfiod  with  your 

hyouT" 

he  is  insensible  |0 

word,  gooil,  had  or 

3  never  forgets  tho 

impulsive,  abeurdiy 

Aughter  »«  les»  iU- 

n  that  dark  heart, 
p  up.  So  tcU  mc  f 
our  boarding-K-.ho<»l 

till,tberc5»novrand 
itfh  1  remarked  to  I>« 
to  me.  I  may  b« 
It  disguised  morti  0( 

would  that  bo?" 

cy  wora  born  in  «>•• 

ave  always  belicvca 

ant,  who  married  a 

ttack." 

■  were  high,  I  have 


>han, 


true,  but  »oiim. 


t  ev^n  describe  him, 
lan,  stout  and  stroDgr 
id  rough  skia." 

One  of    tfce     '^'' 
gentllmnaii,  and  liv 

raid  abide  this  flftn» 

■agry,  I  am  reminded 

Well,  whatev-ir  iHw 
in  tim*  I  shall  have 

sly.  «nd  lapiitog  into 
e  1  k-.nsfolk  ?  " 
ftssed  away  during  a 


iF^nr  ^iK^ibM  Lewis." 


Tkt  Btm^l  PHtmHT*a  Ptiend. 


S3 


"  Lewis  1" 

"But  you  most  not  despair,  senyoriia.  Mark  this,  whatever  mishap  your 
brother  ran,  you  have  been  watched  by  at  least  one  friend  of  your  father's,  aad 
had  the  villam  who  abducted  you  from  your  home  attempted  to  suppress  you 
by  murder,  an  avenger,  if  not  a  defender,  would  have  appeared  by  your  side  in 
the  New  Mexican  gentleman  named  Don  Gregorio  Feralta." 

"  I  know  him,  the  grey-headed  gentleman  who  spoke  to  me  when  the  school 
waa  out  on  proaMnade.  H«  told  me  he  was  my  friend.  Where  is  he  f  pray 
tell  me." 

"  The  accomplices  of  your  abductor  tried  to  hill  him  to  prevent  Captain 
Kidd  being  followed.  His  woi:  h',  howevek,  was  serious  without  being  mortal. 
I  will  warcaat  tk«t,  a«  Sflon  as  iie  could  fork  a  steed,  he  set  out  OQ  the  pursuit 
of  you.'" 

Oh,  then  you  hope  he  will  overtake  us .' " 

"  He  or  another  will  be  at  our  side  soon,"  answered  the  false  lientenant, 
ambiguously. 

"  You  are  not  trifling  with  me  J" 

"  I  am  not  that  kind  of  Wolverine,"  answered  Master  Corfcey  Toe  with  a  forced 
laugh.  "  I  say  Don  Gregorio,  spite  of  his  age,  is  on  our  track,  because  he  loved 
vour  father.  Your  tather  is  also  a-ioot,  and,  at  last  accouois,  hoped  to  enlist 
in  bis  aid  some  mountain  trappers.  They  are  not  sordid  men— often  have  they 
been  known  to  lay  aside  a  whole  season's  harvest  of  incredible  toil  to  rescue  a 
roan  or  woman  of  their  colour  from  the  red  men,  or  to  flock  ta  the  border  when 
the  cry  of  aa  Indian  outbreak  commanded  all  gun-bearers  to  fill  a  loophole  in  tlie 
forts.  But  thi';  troop  which  surrcumds  us  is  bent  oa  a  mission  hostile  to  the 
first  explorers  of  this  region,  and  its  stores  of  fiery  spirit  and  ammunition  are 
intended  to  be  sold  to  the  Indian^,  clean  counter  to  the  laws  of  the  United 
States  and  British  Dominion,  and  t>-  the  regulations  of  the  fur  trade  companies. 
So  Captain  Kidd's  organisation  is  doomed  1  aad  you  moat  be  saved  when  it  is 
cmsfaed." 

"  Haxfe  I,  indeed,  friends  in  this  <list  )oo^iA«s«  ?" 

"  In  the  midst  of  those  mountains  draped  in  untrodden  snows^  in  t,  : 
unfathomable  canyons,  upon  the  plain  and  within  the  caverns  that  profoun<iiy 
tunnel  the  glaciers,  upwards  of  fifty  brave,  strong,  and  honest  men,  areinvisii  > 
repeating  my  call  to  them." 

"  Your. mils  f» 

"  I  havti  been  talking  to  them  whilst  we  w     >  conversing  here.* 

"  I  do  not  understand,  senyor." 

"  On  tfiese  imnfense  wastes,  the  voice  is  insignificant,  but  the  clear  air  allows 
the  vision  to  travel  far.  Not  only  is  there  one  general  code  of  signals  by  fire 
at  night  and  smoke  by  day,  but  the  trappers^  who  are  now  independent  since  the 
ruin  of  the  American  fur  companies,  tetain  in  use  the  alphabet  they  employed. 
Sin«e  th<;  captain  left  me  control  of  the  camp,  I  have  had  the  fires  placed  as  I 
chose,  and  their  position  as  the  columns  of  smoke  ascend  hat  telegraphed  for 
miles atxiund  that  one  of  their  allieav— I— ia  herein  wan*  <>t  assistance.  Not  » 
soul  suspects  it,  but  already  I  <tm  sure  come  of  the  hunters  are  carefully  pro- 
ceeding hither  and  inspecting  the  camp.  Soon  1  siiall  sally  out  and  nvMit  one 
or  other  of  them,  and  the  end  vf\H  be  arranged  for." 

"Oh,  senyor,  this  incredibie  good  news  fills  me  with  joy!  At  last  1  .an 
happy  1 "  she  exclaimed,  with  her  -ryes  full  of  tears.  "  Oh,  M  true  to  me,  man 
whom  I  have  misjudged,  and  yet  who  evinces  so  much  devotion  1  Be  true  to 
mc.  for  if  this  is  a  cheat,  you  might  as  well  iiave  driven  a  tiugger  through  my 
heart  I"  - 


■"imtnmiMfMbvtm 


54 


The  Red  Biver  Ua^-Sre^ 


"  Km})  faitli  in  me,  tscnyorita.  I  mMa  to  tar*  yon  as  vasiltf  as  to  punbh  a 
groKt  scoundrel  I  This  i  have  sworn,  er  the  bBOzaMs  will  bJireA  meal  off  mj 
Oones." 

"  I  wiil  rely  on  yoa,  my  friend,"  giving  Win  her  band  cordially. 

"  Bewidej,"  said  he,  "  it  looks  as  if  my  friends  were  already  at  work.  Three 
of  the  band  have  been  cut  off  almady." 

"  Nay,  sir,"  interrupted  a  third  voice,  '  you  are  ooly  half  rifht  now.  Who 
the  remover  of  two  of  theiA  is,  I  can  tell  you  t  not  a  dweller  in  these  parts, 
but  a  young  Englrjthman,  wuo  has  done  so  much  oat  of  attachment  to — to  my 
father." 

It  was  Mi»  Maclan.  Her  sleep  had  been  interrupted  at  last  by  the  dialogue, 
and,  sitting  up,  she  had  listened  tor  a  few  minutes  before  she  presumed  it  meet 
to  tnteipose. 

In  wMl-choiien  words,  she  hastened  to  inform  Corkey  ]oe  fulW  ontheaitempt 
at  her  rescue,  and  of  the  abrupt  apparition  of  the  Half-breed  who  had  dragged 
away  Mr.  Dearborn. 

"  Cherokee  Bill  I  "  ejiicutated  the  false  bandit,  in  great  glee.  "^Altat  did  I 
tall  yOB,  senyorita  P  why,  we  are  living  right  among  friends  I  " 

He  seemed  to  forget  the  ladies,  who  affectionately  embraced,  as  he  reflected 
en  the  incident  no  longtr  a  mystery  to  him. 

"  Farewell,"  he  said  at  *ast,  "  alMve  all,  do  not  let  this  joyous  hope  of  yours 
be  manifested.  Yon  mt3.<)t  wear  a  mask,  too,  whatever  singular  events  may 
occur.  This  Clierokec  Bill  is  an  lasepanble  compat,ion  of  the  oldest  trapper 
of  the  Rocky  Monntain»,  and  there  is  no  trick  too  artfnl  or  impudent  that  he 
may  not  essay.  Rest  assured  the  Yager  of  the  Yellowstone  Valley,  as  this 
tapper  is  called,  will  give  Kidd  «  t'^aaer  before  long." 

He  buwed  and  left  ttie  excavation.  Soon  after  he  might  have  been  seen 
perambulaHng  the  camp,  cold,  c«ilm,  and  wary,  directing  the  nourishing  of  the 
ires,  and  puffing  easily  at  a  huge  meerschaum  pipe  «rith  a  very  short  stem, 
Mcured  by  a  string  to  his  buttonhole  against  loss.  Nu  one  »uqMCted  what  a 
chat  he  had  with  ute  beautiful  prisoner. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

TKK  COMPACT. 

Attkr  r«aving  his  camping.g;round,  Captain  Kidd  soon  parted  from  the  English- 
man, wl^otn  he  sent  on  through  a  valley,  where  he  disappeared,  Kidd  had  not 
n»*^i.  t>ractiue  in  using  snow-shoes,  for  he  was  &  horseman  of  southern  plains 
life;  and  the  inevitable  pain  at  the  inst»>  (orced  him  to  reach  the  higher  land 
of  the  vallf^ -divide  or  crest,  and  trudge  ^n  with  the  rackets  at  his  back.  Here 
the  wind  had  left  but  an  inch  or  two  of  saoW  ;  and  he  Wiilked  for  a  couple  of 
hours  without  noteworthy  inconventeace.  Fii»liy,  he  came  within  half-a-milo 
of  the  Red  River  Half-bretds'  ill-fated  encampment. 

When  "  Quarry  Dick "  preceded  hira  there,  he  found  the  Canadians  still 
d'gging  out  the  wagons,  and  binding  up  their  wounds  and  frost-bites,'  He  was 
much  surprised  at  seeing  so  many  women  aad,  girla  j  and,  at  the  first  .words 


arely  Js  to  punish  » 
laveft  meal  off  fny 

idyatwork.    Thrw 

f  right  now.  ■^^'ho 
tiler  in  these  part*, 
tAchment  to — to  my 

tMt  by  tb«  diategu«, 
ho  presumed  it  meet 

•folly  onthea'fonpt 
ed  who  had  dragged 

glee.    "VlTifct  did  I 

s!" 

ikced,  as  he  reflected 

joyous  hope  o(  yours 
singular  events  may 
>t  the  oldest  trapper 
or  impudent  that  he 
■tone  Valley,  as  this 


ight  have  been 
the  nourishing  of  the 
th  a  very  short  stem, 
>ne  »u8pected  what  a 


1%?  (knpO' 


.IS 


iited  from  the  English- 
eared  Kidd  had  not 
an  oil  southern  plains 
reach  the  higher  land 
eta  at  his  back.  Here 
walked  for  a  couple  of 
me  within  half»a-mile 

d  tiie  Canadians  still 
J  front-bites.  He  was 
ind,  at  the  first  words 


addressed  to  him,  wa»  still  (utther  iil!«<      i        itoni;     nent.     i~  .>i  going 

on  to  the  place  wlMKe — whether  he  knew  n  or  not—the  BotaRv  Bay  convict  h«a 
prepanxl  an  enviable  leccption,  his  catotain  chose  an  eievatefl  knoU,  cut  ■;orm 
lung  sticks  with  his  batchci-iuiiie,  laia  them  upou  the  snow,  and  acrom  on* 
another  in  ^rata,  so  as  to  ti'>m  a  platform,  and  idndled  a  fire  upon  fhis  green, 
wood,  a  tolerably  familiar  act  '-i  the  winter.  '>ooa  the  flam*  sprn^ig  up,  hot 
enough  to  roast  a  buffalo  whol  ;  but  he  threw  .>  couple  of  handifula  ol  atinl:- 
wood  upon  it  to  cause  a  blai  k  pillar  o{  smoke. 

On  spying  this  token  that  his  leader  was  at  hand,  the  "Sydney  Duck' 
ren  in»d  in  the  Bois  Bnil&i'  camp  as  a  host  ige,  acrording  to  usage,  tiiourh  thr 
precaution  would  have  been  waived,  and  their  captain  cime  forth  to  confabulata 
with  the  other  commaoder.  Gliding  along  over  the  snow  with  the  CanediAna* 
expertiiL.'Sson  what  are  national  footwear  to  them,  the  Half>brM4  speedily  h^ilcd 
the  man  quietly  seated  at  his  fire. 

"  Who  comes  ?  "  uhallenged  the  latter,  cocidng  his  rifle,  for  form's  s?' 
"  Dagard,  the  Bois  Brule^one  of  the  leaders  o*  the  Red  River  Poyerb  1" 

"  I  am  the  loadi. :  of  a  large  band  of  gold-hunters,"  was  the  reply,  "  Glad  ^" 
see  you  ;  come  on." 

Captain  Dagard  was  one  of  those  independent  spirits,  who  would  alway*  ^n 
la  conili'St  with  the  *<>wn  authorities  in  civili  ation  ;  and  also,  in  th«  wilda,  did 
pretty  much  as  he  pieaiied,  and  executed,  with  delightful  nonctutlance,  matiy  an 
uojusiifiable  deed.  His  mixed  blood  mide  him  now  hate  th>'  wbii'^i — now 
scorn  the  retis — ^but  all  the  time  resist  gc  «mment  In  general,  and  the  British 
Coloaial  ono  in  particular.  It  is  to  bebcine  in  mind,  too,  that  never  were  two 
nirire  inc(>ngruoti!i  elements  in  one  countrv  than  the  Scotch  and  the  Prencli 
settlers  ot  Canada — the  one  sober,  steady,  strict  Puritans ;  the  other  volatile, 
indolent  tor  periods  out  of  proportion  to  their  fits  of  activity,  and  staunch 
upholders  of  the  feasts  of  the  Church. 

Unprejudiced  beholders  cai  not  n«  any  difference  in  the  tri  .tment  by  (be 
rulers  of  either  people  ;  but  slill  the  French  Canadians,  and  principally  these 
Half-breeds,  never  cease  complaining  that  they  do  not  enjoy  tihe  saoM  prlvUeges 
a.i  the  conqitercr  racB. 

Kidd  and  the  Manitoban  sat  down  by  one  another. 

"You  might  as  well  have  come  on   Into  my  camp,"  saidi  I'Embai-  i-       r. 
reproachfully, "  though  we  >je  a  littk  upset  by  the  storm.  Ybe  moment  1 1 
from  your  adherent— a  stout  fellow,  eh  P  though  a  bit  of  a  brute  I — that  _ 
were  so  kind  as  to  help  me  when  the  Crows  were  in  our  midst,  you  could  be 
sure  yot  were  as  my  brother  I" 

"  Yes,  of  course,"  stammered  Kidd,  at  a  loss  to  understand  the  allusion. 
"  1 — I  came  in — m  the  nick,  didn't  !  ?  " 

"  Like  a  mir-icle  I     /e  thought  we  were  gone  under,  sure,  when  you  poured  io 
that  volley,  and  Wiadi-  the  Crows  take  the  beck  track.     By  all  that's  blue  !  yoa 
gave  them  such  a  share  that  we  have  seen  not  a  feather  of  them  since  I   That  is  ' 
one  kind  thing  for  which  we  are  ail  grat^ul.    Now,  is  it  in  our  power  to  repay 
you  ?  " 

"  That  depends." 

"  You  are  prospecting  \  is  otrr  local  knowledj^s  aciy  use  to  yoi.  >•**  ia  freely 
yours,  captain."  .   ■ 

"  I  can  say  neither  ja  nor  no  noiv,  for  my  comrades  must  be  consulted.  We 
are  going  into  the  Yeliowstone  Basin  after  gold  — — " 

"Ha,  hai"  laughed  Dagard;  "another  dive  into  the  famous  Northern 
E!  Dorado,  wheio  the  w  •  paved  with  gold  and  silver,  and  the  Ash-ponds  are 
boiling  Water  ^iiea«e  ou^  uraws  xiuipoissan  dAvrii  ready  cooked  1 " 


5<5 


The  Red  Rwer  Haff-BrtetL 


"  Do  yrm  not  b«liev«  K  It  Kke\y  f  qaeried  Kidd.  eartwttlT. 

"  A«  you  My,  nciihar  ye*  nr^r  no.  Wp  gave  the  '  ffrehoia '  •  iriue  berth,  for 
we  Are  not  «t  home  in  sulphur  mar-ihea,  soda  l»k«a,  and  burning  pits,  liks  that  of 
the  bad  pliicc.     If  there  be  gold  there,  though " 

"  I  promise  you  that,"  returned  Kidd,  confidently ;  "  at)  points  to  It.  Will 
you  join  us— sharing  and  sharing^ alike~-if  my  men  agree  *o  the  union  >  There 
U  Mough  and  to  S|)are  for  all  of  us.  Beiiides,  blood  heing  !<pilt  nf  the  Indians, 
I  am  aJFraid  my  men  need  be  five  hundred,  and  yet  prove  feeble.  1  heae  moun- 
tain Indltn*  are  hardy,  not  given  to  tlM  rum  bottle,  and  wmrtika  above  all  their 
brethrm  of  the  pUins." 

"  They  fought  like  devfts  incarnate,  I  repeat.  Half  my  command  is  disabled 
or  dead,  ai.d  we  were  lost  irretrievably  but  for  your  loterveauon.  I  say  that 
■gain.    But  what  am  f  to  do  with  the  women  t  »• 

"  What  women  t  " 

"  I  have  under  my  char^  sixteen  women,  that  !s,  those  over  twenty-five 
years,  and  fouiteen  young  girls,  to  say  nothing  of  stUl  tenderer  children " 

"  Oh,  pshaw  *  if  you  are  dragging  your  familiaa  ^>out  with  you,"  br-];an  the 
gold-hunter,  contemptuously. 

"  You  are  off  the  track.  These  are  valuables,  not  encumbrances,"  rejoined 
Dagard,  tartly.  "  In  two  words,  they  are  the  captives  of  the  Dahcotahs,  taken 
away  fiom  their  bvnit  cabins  in  recent  raids,  and  they  were  placed  in  my 
ch  irge  so  that  the  Indian  agents  mieht  discover  no  traces  of  them.  Thus  I 
have  secured  the  friendship  of  the  Sioux,  and  if  the  English  come  tu  attack 
our  little  Red  Wver  Republic,  they  will  find  us  reinforcedliy  plenty  o'  fighting- 
men  !  " 

"  And,'*  proceeded  Kidd,  with  a  chuckle,  *'  if  the  redcoats  defeat  you  and 

Sou  t»ke  flight  back  into  Uncle  Sam's  territory,  you  can  obtain  his  protection 
y  a  handine  over  of  the  captives  whom  you  charitably  snatched  from  the 
wigwam.     Well  conceived.  Captain  Dneard  I  " 


Well  conceived,  Captain  Daga 
Well  or  ill. conceived,  it  is  not  mv  inventioa." 

•'  Well,  anyway,  no  fool  thrught  of  it." 

'•  That's  where  you  are  .wrong.  It's  the  idea  of  a  lutberly  man  of  min*, 
Dave  Steelder, '  Daft  Dave.'  He's  an  innocent,  as  we  Bretons  say,  an  idiot,  if 
you  prefer  the  word." 

"Oh,  Daft  Dave!"  exclaimed  Kidd,  with  a  sparkle  Of  the  eye  under  hb 
snow-go    ;les. 

"Do     lu  know  him f* 

"  I  met  him  at  the  Humboldt  Wash-up  when  the  flume  burst  and  carted 
away  his  hut  and  savings.  They  say  that  drove  him  stupid.  That  was  in  1869, 
or  so,  but  others  mak'   out  he  was  ctanky  before." 

"  If  he  is  an  acquaintance  u(  yours,  perhaps  you  would  like  to  see  him. 
Shall  I  whistle  him  ov<r?" 

"Well,  no,  some  other  occasion  I  fie  may  have  the  delusion  that  I  look 
like  one  of  the  awkward  cusses  that  broke  a  plank  In  the  flume  and  let  the 
flood  spoil  the  diggings.  A'^tonishing  what  a  family  likeness  the  red  flannel 
shirt,  the  patched  pants,  and  the  high-up  t>oots  uavti  us  all  at  the  gold  mines. 
I  have  oftfn  )>een  taken  for  another  !  "  concluded  Kidd,  wi'.h  a  wink. 

•"  How  unfortunate  I  "  said  I'F.mbarrasseur,  droUy  laughing.  "  Then,  I  should 
not  advise  you  to  run  against  Dave.  He's  apt  to  tear  when  he's  mad.  Still, 
hiit  strength  makes  him  useful  about  a  camp,  though  he's  not  hrig-St,  and  though 
he's  not  trusted  on  guard,  he  throws  out  valntht'*  hintt  now  and  .again,  as 
these  dullards  do.  But  this  is  wind-work,  mere  talk.  What  have  you  come 
over  to  propose  i" 


'^^^^ifiif^ 


J- 


-^^-"-•■""""■^'  -"' 


A»  IngmUmi  Mrt/duc^m. 


$1 


lole '  K  wiue  berth,  for 
ming  pita,  lika  that  of 


II  points  to  Jt.  Will 
♦o  the  union  ?  There 
I  ipilt  n(  the  Indians, 

rftriikc  above  all  their 

command  \i  disabled 
etveauOD.    I  lay  that 


over  twentjr-fiw» 

adarer  children "  j 

;  iHth  you,"  bf-jan  i\0 

:ambrances,"  rsjoined 
the  Dahcotahs,  taken 
y  were  plaf>'d  in  my 
ces  of  them.  Thus  I 
figlish  come  to  attack 
i  by  plenty  o'  fighting. 

Icoats  defeat  you  and 
I  obtain  his  protection 
>ly  snatched  from  the 


lulberly  man  of  min*, 
tretons  say,  an  idiot,  if 

<Kf  the  ey6  under  his 


lime  burst  and  eafrletf 
pid.    That  was  in  1869, 

ivould  like  to  see  hio). 

e  delusion  that  I  look 
the  flume  and  let  the 
likeness  the  red  flannel 
all  at  the  gold  mines, 
with  a  wink, 
[hing.  "  Then,  1  should 
■  when  he's  mad.  Still. 
s  not  bright,  and  though 
lint^now  and  .again,  as 
What  have  you  como 


"  Well,  I  am  thinking  that  tou  uad  I  migkt  work  ia  double  barMM." 

"  Strilra  a  bargain,  en  P  'fhere's  no  kmnring  I  There  will  be  a  stir  up  on 
the  frontier — the  Britisher*  are  pressing  oa  tTiat  railroad.  I  want  alt  tlMu' 
friends  I  can  cluster.    What':*  your  propMal  f  " 

"Assist  me  to  find  the  G'old-.ioara  in  the  Firehole,  and  I,  who  am  nol  without 
frimds  in  Congress,  wiu  engage  to  restore  your  captives  in  so  glorioia  a 
manner  to  their  relatives,  that  you  will  become  a  hero  and  have  a  monument  in 
every  Western  city  !  It  is  true  the  Sioux  will  sharpen  their  knives  to  putii.tb 
yonr  breach  of  faith,  but  I  never  heard  that  'here  were  many  Sioux  ta  the 
hotels  of  the  Eastern  S'  itos  I " 

"  Then  we  unite  I  and  instead  of  my  being  a  poor  leader  of  oidy  a  teore 
hale  men,  I  beconr<e  a  sub  chief  of  over  two  hundred  I  " 

"  My  lieutenant  I  the  sooner  I  reinforhf;  you  the  better*  eh  f  While  wwmefi 
in  the  mountains  and  Indians  within  rifle  range:  it's  a  temptation  thpycant 
withstand.  I  ouvht  to  add  that  another  danger  exists.  They  8ai|r  in  the 
towns  that  that  oiJ  rogue,  Jim  Ridgf>,  boasts  tiiat  he  regaUtea  this  ehnin  6t  the 
sierras.* 

"  His  friends  the  trappers  lynch  a  horse  thief  nowaiid  tiMa,aodstoGtoSbaod 
any  one  robbing  caches,  but  that's  sound  trapper  law." 

''If  he  and  his  friends  block  our  entrance  into  the  Yellowstone  '  I^k,*  what 
would  yon  do?" 

"  Oh,  when  there's  a  roan  between  ma  and  what  my  eaopty  pocket  gape*  tor, 
either  he  or  I  go  under  t  " 

"  You're  the  true  colour,"  ejaculated  Kidd,  using  a  goId>m!ner's  phrase,  and 
not,  <A  course,  reflecting  on  his  colloquist's  complexion — a  sore  point  with  mixed 
btoods.  "  I  will  send  you  a  dozen  men  from  the  camp  the  moment  I  return, 
and  you  can  join  me  at  our  nest  tent-pitching,  of  which  they  will  bear  ywn. 
v/otA.  By  the  way,  tell  Quarry  Dick  to  make  straight  for  that  B!ac)»tone  of  a 
negrohead  shape  as  well  as  hue.  I  will  meet  him  there  by  a  circuit,  for  I  Can 
m^te  no  way  on  these  confounded  snov-shoes." 

"It  comes  by  practice,  my  orave  captain,"  said  Dagard  nenilfi  **m» 
spending  money.    Au  revoir  I    Our  rally  word  ia— 

"Gold  I" 

"  And  thr  countersign  f  " 

"  Beauty ! " 

They  drank  each  from  the  other's  pocket  flask  In  token  of  absolute  tmst, 
and  the  gold-hunter  was  left  to  raise  his  little  camp  after  carefully  smothering 
the  fire  to  prevent  firing  the  brushwood  of  the  vale  beneath. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

«N  INIiliMtOtJg  INTRODUCTION. 

Moms  eaeasy  about  the  Indians,  whom  Captain  Kidd  knew  to  be  embittered 
wb<«  repulsed  at  an  almost-victory,  and  ^ut  the  tramMirs  whom  he  rightty 
conjectured  to  have  interfered  to  save  the  Canadians  from  annihilation,  he 
moved  ietsuiely  to  the  reodeevoos  with  tho  ccniviut  in  order  to  examine  tlie 


',^1 


'  > .  -; . 


Thi  Red  River  Baif-Bncd. 


.grottiH}.  B'il  nothing  was  Tisibla  to  accentnate  his  fears,  a^id,  spying  th  fan- 
tastic block  of  b>vastonR  ir>  question,  he  biistencd  to  conrr'^tulate  Dick  on  tlie 
splendid  lie  by  which  the  gold-seekers  were  given  the  c.«uit  of  javing  the  Bois 
Bruits.  As  he  expected,  the  Englishman,  not  having  his  own  sause  to  move 
alowly,  waj  already  at  the  tryst.  At  oil  events,  a  figure  in  all  point*  res<sBiblinK 
his  was  before  tlie  stone,  clearly  oittlined  against  it,  tho'^gh  he  was  pnziiled  ';o 
recount  for  m  second  object,  human  in  forns,  but  of  cu  abnomiai  flesh  ooluur, 
like  a  "  raw  "  corpse,  pendant  a  foot  or  two  from  the  ground  as  if  bung  to  % 
jutting  point  of  the  natural  obelisk. 

"  Fool  that  I  am  I"  suddenly  tijacula^^ed  Captain  Kidd,  who  had  stopjpedl  with 
ft  chill  to  the  heart,  "  it's  the  strange  light  b^«M«  nightfall  that  is  givinff  m«  « 
scare  1  Why,  it's  notning  but  a  y  >i»!^  bear  that  he  has  killed  aad  liyedl 
—bear's  steak  for  supper !     Ha,  "la ! ' 

Indeed,  with  their  peculiar  long  paws,  nothing  snore  rcMmbU'.  a  nam, 
«tcepting  cousin  mon'«2y,  than  uncle  bear,  slim  with  wintering. 

On  a  nearer  approF.'ih,  any  doubt  about  Dick's  '.aentity  with  the  form  calm'jf 
Wnitg  on  the  rifle  was  iropo<  sibte.  Nevertheless,  the  sileiicc  ar\d  the  immioility 
ttt  \h«  bandit  appalled  the  other,  and  *he  hanging  figure,  drumming  "vith  its 
heels  on  the  npright  atone  as  the  spir.uin^and  unspinning  of  its  cor  J  of  support 
OMrillated  It,  increased  in  ghastl'uess  and  its  likeness  to  homo  rather  than  ursa. 

Pausing  again  anew,  he  let  hiirself  be  attracted  to  understand  the  puzxie,  and, 
as  Dick  made  no  movemen',  W  less  a  reply  to  his  now  frenzird  appeal,  be 
darted  madly  to  the  butte  where  the  lavastone  rose  !ike  a  monument.  Th«M 
^e  czplanatio.i  was  ample. 

Some  merr.jloss  hand  hid  olatfl  the  Englishman,  beheaded  him.  and  fljiyedf 
bim,  with  the  sicin  of  the  neck  only  left  intact,  and  after  suspending  the  bo4y 
li'ite  an  artist's  icorcki  along  the  pillar,  stuffed  tba  human  hide  out  with  snow  so 
that  not  a  wrinkle  showed.  The  cold  had  froie.i  this  effigy  into  'he  semblana? 
of  a  marble  statue.  Whilst  Ihe  captain  gazed  horr<Sed,  some  sctatches  on  the 
otelisk  near  th?  suspended  corpse  caught  his  eyet>.  He  read  wiih  redoubled 
apprehension  i 

-,  known  as  '  the  Sydney  Dock,' '  Sydney  Dick,'  and  '  the  Convict,' 


escaped  from  Australian  prisons,  murderer  of  Califomiaa  miners,  of  Don 
Gregcrio  Peralta,  and  of  his  daughter,  Mrs  Filditcfai  tried,  found  guilty,  and 
i»ecuted  by  Uu, 

"  Thb  Mew  of  tki  Moontajji. 
"  tlettds  off!    T nls  Is  the  bu2itard'»  b«it,  do  you  hear  P  »* 

Then  the  drawing  of  a  rifle  and  cros-  A  knives,  and  the  fur-trade  marku  of  Jim 
lUdge,  Cherokee  Bill,  and  the  nasBf     S.  G..*"''!ditch,"  firmly  graven. 

At  the  end  of  reading  this  weird  death-scnte.cc,  which  was  i  wa  nin^  too, 
Ciotain  Kiddutteieil  a  terrible  execration,  and  clutching  his  rifle  and  knife,  »s 
if  he  expected!  the  wild  ju^ticeers  to  spring  out  ipon  bim  f  tax  aroand  the 
monolith,  darted  frenziedly  hum- the  unhallowed  emiii»nce. 

But  he  had  no  purruers,  and  rsflecttar  came  to  him  a<icr  \,»\f  an  honHs  nad 

Hkntodertng  in  the  Rnow,  that  h^  wouI4  hs  safu'  simob^  Lis  m.*^  than  so'itaiy. 

||4|iillT^-7.  Lottery  ?aal  had  pro'iaW?  returned,  and  might,  in  ,h»  chiefs  aosenco. 

^Wch  thit  doctrine  of  retreat  to  the  gin  palaces  of  the  froi  Uer  which  was,  a^ 

the  fac«        it,  superior  t'   the  present  outlook.    Hia  iror,  hand  could  aioae 

Ct/iitain  the  bandits  ti  any  could. 

"  besK^"  murmured  he,  "  what  ttsesM  <  Datv*  Staeidir'  say  if  ho  krew  ate 


m/. 


tears,  and,  spyt;>|(  tti  fan* 
consritulate  Dick  on  the 
c.euit  of , savin;;  the  Bois 
g  his  own  cause  to  move 
re  in  all  point*  resfiipblin^ 
though  he  was  pascied  'o 
cu  abnonnaS  flesh  ooluur, 
le  grottsd  as  H  buog  to  n 

Ad,  who  had  stopped  with 
htfail  that  is  giving  me  a 
he  has  killed  and  Bayed  I 

more  re»<imbk''  a  man, 
wintering. 

ntiiy  with  the  form  calmly 
silence  arid  the  imm:.aility 
figure,  drtimming  "vith  its 
ining  of  its  corJ  of  support 
to  homo  rather  than  ursit, 
mdentand  the  puzzle,  and, 
s  now  frenzied  appeal,  hft 
ike  a  monument.    TlM^i 

beheaded  him.  and  flayed' 
ifter  suspending  the  body 
nan  hide  out  with  snow  so 
s  effigy  into  '.he  semblancn 
Sed,  some  aciatches  on  the 
He  read  with  redoubted 


y  Dick,'  and  '  the  CoitvJet,' 
ilifomtan  niiniirs,  of  Don 
h,  tried,  found  guihy,  aad 

»r?'' 

:he  fur-trade  marktr  of  Jim 

,'•  firmly  graven. 

vhich  was  .i  wa-'ning  too, 

:hing  his  rille  and  knife,  as 

ipon  bioi  fxAi  around  tli* 

t><ince. 

I  a)i.;r  U»ff  an  hour's  naA 

a&^  LiS  tni  1  than  so'itaiy. 

i«ht,  if!  'b'  chiftt's  ansenco. 

the  froi  Uer  which  was,  on 

[is  iror.  hand  cotttd  afoae 


Mf  if  fatttettk^OMi 


40  lagi 


itroduelimu 


5«? 


to  lunimi)) » tkutk  r    Aftex  all.  «rbat  a  riddance  that  roogh  brute  Is  t    Ac  iot 
me,  I  hare  had  some  very  close  calls,  but  fortune  has  carried  me  through.'' 

The  gfrey  sky  was  darkening,  distant  objects  were  already  blending  into 
compact  ir.asses.  Luckily,  though  not  a  proven  trail-finder,  Kidd  had  '.vood* 
craft  in  plenty,  and  soon  hit  on  the  proper  hoBieward  direction.  On  spying  an 
indubitable  mark,  he  uttered  a  sigh  of  gratiScatioi  ,  ar.d  hurried  to  make  up  for 
lost  time.  He  judged  that  within  the  hour  he  would  be  in  camp,  wh*;n  became 
■ipon  some  frenh  and  bold  prints  in  the  snow-crust  hardening  as  the  night 
broueht  coolness.  No  one  could  doubt  that  tl.ey  were  made  by  a  %nts\y  bear, 
not  the  black  or  the  brown,  but  the  genuine  "  Uncle  Epbraim  "  hiraseli.  This 
set  the  fugUive  a-thinking.  A  braver  rnar  than  he  docs  not  forenee  •  meeting 
with  Old  Eph.  without  pardonable  misgiving. 

Thj  grizzly  or  the  gnsiy--  according  to  whether  yoi-'  me  him  aiter  his  coat 
or  the  horror  he  inspires,  is,  far  more  than  the  lion,  <  .ng  of  beasts,  foi'  he  is 
perfect  la  coutage,  in  strenKth,  ate  nuss  under  gl:r^..>■e,  and  a  noble  good- 
huinoar  to<rards  his  folk.  He  is,  per.iS4>s,  the  only  anintartkat  dances  Ir.  sheer 
love  of  amusement,  and  his  gambols  at  a  "  bears'  party  "  are  the  dro'k.st  sight 
a  hunter  ever  knows.  It  is  true  few  have  looked  on  and  lived  to  tell.  The 
Rocky  Mountains  are  the  home  of  the  reiitablegrizxly,  anrl  the  frequency  of  h'l 
apparition  among  the  mines  oi  the  Sierra  Nevada  won  th-;  title  of  the  Gtics^ 
Bear  State  for  California. 

Captain  Kidd  recovertd  frjm  the  recent  shock  that  had  unhing««d  him  before 
a  danger  t^hat  required  coolness  to  temper  bravery.  Ho  shook  h»  h«A^  Mkf) 
a  Nemouiidland  coming  out  of  the  water,  and  growled. 

"  This  lumbering  fool  has  smelt  the  camp,  and  has  put  himself  exactly  in  my 
way  oack.  I  wbh  he  had  given  those  Caoadiaiia  a  visit  where  there  are  plenty 
of  dead  bodies." 

He  carefully  examined  his  rifle,  slipped  in  a  second  bullet  in  a  gnas^  ViiA, 
and  reijumed  his  march,  but  with  extreme  caution.  The  Jifiiculty  xM  not  to 
stuQible  ot\  his  foe,  who,  with  razor-sm  -p  claws  six  or  seven  inches  long,  would 
make  a  man  look  as  if  he  had  gone  th-  ough  rv  "  system  of  saws  "  ic  a  miK. 

He  had  proceede  i  some  five  hundred  yards,  so  as  to  nearly  get  out  of  thn  taagie- 
wood  of  deciduous  trees,  distorted  and  stunted  by  the  cold  winds,  when  a  pro- 
longed cavernous  grumbling,  arising  not  far  from  him,  sent  an  icy  shive:'  ail 
through  !»=m.  He  stopped  fjliort,  bent  forward,  and  took  a  wary  look.  Before 
attainmg  a  clearing,  there  was  a  narrow  canyon  to  crrss.  profoundly  cleft 
between  two  perpendicular  sides,  two  yards  deep  and  twenty  paos  long.  Aboui 
a  third  of  the  way  ur  this  channel,  leisure!)  iprawling  on  the  snow,  i.i  which  h'? 
was  partly  embc-'ded  on  account  of  his  gre  <♦  Weight,  a  grizzly  was  licking  hisi 
fore  paws  and  i>rooothini>'  pine  burrs  out  of  ]ils  iiursih  coat.  Suddenly,  the 
animal  winked  its  !litie  w-j,'  eyes,  pricked  its  snub  ears  VF  and,  witnout 
glancing  round  or  -'i|(««f^|.  lister,  set  to  sniffing.  Its  subtle  scenting  (acuity 
Bad  been  aroused  i»|-  itJ'-n#?  unwonted  and  consequently  disquieting  emanation. 
Nevertheless,  ■•-  fao  t  °'.I^hti%  the  captain,  it  was  rxot  he  to  v'uom  tit"  bear  was 
paying  any  he 

"  Good  luck  to  Me  si'.v  in  the  idr  that  saves  mel  "  ho  thought.    "  The  creji 
tore  never  imagines  .hat  a  man  is  treadin*  on  his  tail.     Tts  a  opiendid  fur  coat 
but  I  am  not  hunting  griuiy  iust  ai  pr^s^fit,  tbank  you !     I  dws't  can  fer  ««y 
on  my  toast  I  " 

Hence,  he  wwt  takinr  a  b.-ickward  seep  and  Idofei.ig  abotst  hiiJi  to  t  /  tc; 
manage  «  circuit  to  avoid  the  encounter,  wheu  he  heard  'vhat  seemed  an  cho, 
only  a  little  more  ro,  of  the  bca.-'s  growl.  It  came  from  iehlt^d  him,  and  w.!S  so 
angrily  intoa^i  duw  he  was  niost  surprised  60  »«•  *  t-r'^'id  K.riaily,  op  lutiiit 


ihy-Br^ea. 


'.'*>\i 


?.»■'■>: 


flw  m«te  «l  the  %al^'. 


To  be  the  sti 
riefie«r)  of  vrWci 

I'he  fecond  a 
wimoirer,  was  ■• 
life  was  &\\  the 


*:'iittftg  l»«Nt«&l  tiitu,  its  head  towered  ia  Us 


Ok  those  expe» 


r  ock  betwma  twe  ^fstnr  bi^tkdorea  i^ 
ew  vict?nis  nr.rraye  the  Sncideats. 

agonist  was  ctTtrnn  ^o  arrive  at  him  by  i*i  >  -rinf;  sc«fit,  and, 
nean.!-  aa  w;!^  t*  thu  lar/^r  beast,  'i  •  in  and  run  for  his 
course  wh5dS  his  fright  counselled,  so  be  lifted  his  gun, 
Irvelled  it  :«teadily  at  tli«  griaily's  eye,  |»rtly  vei!.-d  by  its  shaggy  foretair,  and 
pi-lled  tile  trieger  Unfortunately,  whether  the  piece  had  been  tampefed  with, 
Vf  the  snow  had  eaten  away  tKt<  barrel,  the  charge  b'jng  fire,  and  the  ppoiliar 
Wid  frishtfnl'y  loud  detontt'ion  betokened  that  the  itarrel  had  burst.  Without 
t^irtg  woiinded,  '.he  raptain  pitched  forward  hea<  foremost  into  the  snow,  frotn 
■iot  meetinff  ihe  recoil  which  he  had  nerved  liimstif  to  resist. 

Both  bears  howled  t  gethef,  rattled  their  claws  and  gnashed  their  teeth,  and, 
wfth  a  loud  snarling,  bound?c*  towards  the  hapless  captain.  Mechanically,  he 
drew  his  '  i-ife,  but.  or  sdrambling  to  his  feet,  eaperienced  a  ttax  so  inexpressibly 
appalling  ti;at  he  tor^t  bii  def:ennination  to  resist  to  the  inevitabie  death,  aad 
leaped  awiiy  in  a  maa  scamper. 

Accustomed  to  riding,  he  was  not  n,  f^poA  pedestrian ;  his  winter  garments 
w«re  unsuitable,  and  he  was  no  longer  blessed  with  youth.  Besides,  to  get  over 
snch  ragged  ground,  ard  t  inong  tough,  thorny,  scrubby  conifera,  was  impossible 
Ibr  one  in  blind  haste  He  could  tell  by  their  breatiiin<(  that  the  two  bears  were 
nearing  him, bound  for  bound.  Hehsd  lost  his  kni'e,an()  his  revolver  having  been 
turn  out  of  his  belt  by  a  briar  too,  he  was  absolutely  at  the  mercy^— an  unknown 
element—  of  his  wotsueti.  He  dared  not  turn  his  head  ;  in  hunters'  phra»'K>l<>"»'. 
be  ts\t  them  rufHe  his  hair  with  their  bieatfa ;  and,  in  truth,  Old  Ephrain-, 
his  spouse  were  not  a  dozen  steps  off.  His  own  hair  stood  up,  spite  of  a 
perspiration,  for  he  ftl*  that  he  was  irremediably  lost.  In  twoor  three  minui^.., 
•ov  f<vf.  at  most,  he  would  become  that  not  unique  subject  of  a  well-wora 
Western  epitaph— granting  t2i«l  be  w»s  left  in  buriabU  tatter»— Uakcowa  nuw 
gobble*^  up  by  gr  J^Jly, 

He  was  stopped  by  *e  inability  to  make  a  further  move ;  '<xith  bears  reared 
«p,  and  the  least  towered  a  haad  and  shoulders  above  hitj.  He  was,  by  the 
force  of  education,  striving  to  recall  a  prayer,  when  a  human  hand  unexpectedly 
clutched  ^im  by  the  twlar  and  dasbcd  him  down,  crying  in  a  voice  most 
oaergctle  i 

"  Lay  dowc,  jrort  fool,  uA  give  a  man  a  chance  to  shoot,  will  yon  notf  * 

As  tiie  captain  again  was  buried  in  the  snow,  two  rapid  reports  of  a  gtns 
extinguishe«{  in  their  reverberations  the  growls  of  the  grisxlies.  Then  aro^  a 
couple  of  painful  lamentations  from  their  hoarse  throats,  and,  as  Kidd  lifted  his 
head,  he  beheld  with  stupefied  eves  a  man  disdainfully  pursuing  the  bears  and 
lit  cping  them  "  on  their  run  "  with  panic  by  pelting  them  with  snowballs  and 
splinters  of  ice  tlU  they  disappeared  over  a  mound  and  into  some  crevice,  where 
the  chaser  deetred  it  good  sense- rot  to  follow  further. 

"  What  is  this  allP"  the  gold-grabber  demanded,  sitting  up,  still  haUdased 
am!'  wholly  incredulous,  ana  speaking  Spanish,  as  one  in  dire  straits  always 
uses  th«  niothsr  tongue. 

"  Talk  Enulish,"  responded  the  other,  returning  rapidly  and  recharging  bis 
dcable-barrel  ^un,  according  to  hunters'  rules,  never  to  carry  unloaded  fir*, 
amis  in  a  dangerous  country.  "  And  don't  talk  to  me  of  the  courage  of  iae 
grizzly  any  mors.    Are  you  alive  P    I  mean,  ate  you  not  wounded  P  " 

"  I  am  not  sure  how  I  am,"  returned  the  ^ief  of  the  goid-3'.^«kers,  staadit^ 
with  diSSculty,  and  staring  at  his  rescuer. 


P&r. 


h 


1 


'Myig, 


emoKs  JMfed\;' 


A, 


o  e  of  tiioaeexpe< 

!  rrinff  soMit,  and, 
II  and  run  for  his 
he  lifted  his  gun, 
shaggy  forehair,  and 
>een  tampered  with, 
ire,  and  the  pectiiiar 
lad  burst.  Without 
into  the  snow,  from 

hed  their  teeth,  and, 
n.  Mechanically,  he 
itax  so  inexpressibly 
inevitable  death,  aad 

his  winter  garments 
Besides,  to  get  over 
lifera,  was  impossible 
at  the  two  bears  were 
» revoWer  having  been 
mercy — an  unknown 
hunters'  phra*?ol<»-*. 
th,  Old  Ephraiar, 
<d  up,  spite  of  H 
two  or  three  minuu.«, 
bject  of  a  well-worn 
tters — Unlccown  man 

e;  'joth  bears  reared 
nil  J.  HcwaSjbythe 
an  hand  unexpeciedljr 
fbg  in  a  voio*  roost 

;,  will  you  not  f 
pid  reports  of  a  g^ 
Kzlies.  Then  arose  a 
md,  as  Kidd  lifted  his 
irsuiiig  the  bears  and 
n  with  snowball*  and 
:o  some  cievice,  where 

ig  up,  still  hatfdazed 
n  dire  straits  always 

y  and  recharfing  fcls 
carrf  unloaded  fir** 
{  the  courage  ot  ^ 
mounded  P  " 
^ld~f  ^tlarSi  standiiig 


It  was  Ranald  Dearborn,  clad  as  «  ccgMiar  hsL.er ;  bat  his  face  was  not 
butnt  and  wcatlierbeaten  yet,  like  a  veteran's,  and  iie  had  an  elegant  and 
almost  dandified  aii-,  which  his  recent  conduct  belied. 

He  laughed  as  the  caiitain  brushed  himself  down,  and  "  tried  "  all  his  joints, 
doubtingly. 

"  Where  are  the  bears  ?  "  inquired  Kidd,  anxiously. 

"  I  drove  them  into  a  crack  that  probably  leads  to  their  lair.  They  shed 
my  shot  and  my  bullet  off  like  rain  from  a  roof;  but  we  may  be  more  lucky  in 
another  attack.    Shall  we  have  a  turn  at  them  ? " 

"  Thank  you  very  much,  but  I  have  had  all  I  want  of  such  diversion.  Why, 
when  they  reared,  it  was  like  looking  up  the  side  of  a  church  1  1  am  sure  their 
teeth  were  as  long  as  a  hunting  knife.     Who  and  what  are  yon,  stranger  ?  " 

"  A  hunter — an  Englishman  wintering  in  Canada  and  b«reabouts— came  »i|t' 
to  this  New  World  to  see  some  sport." 

"Alone  I  "cried  Kidd,  in  the  tone  of  one  addressing  a  madman.  "Stop, 
though,  !  have  heard — though  I  never  believed  it — that  solitary  hunters  of  your 
nationality  do  come  here  with  the  notion  that  buifalo  are  merely  wild  bullocks, 
the  puma  a  large  edition  of  the  domestic  cat,  and  grizzly  himself,  a  rough 
badger  nuflTed  into  b.illoon  size  by  pinyon  fruit.  I  $ay,  friend,"  he  went  on, 
ntrvously  glancing  about,  "  kindly  lend  me  your  arm  as  far  as  my  encamp- 
ment, famin  force  here,  and  promise  you  good  entertainment.  Not  a  m><n 
of  my  band  but  will  welcome  the  preserver  Si  their  leader.  I  owe  my  life  to 
you  doubly ;  you  must  not  go  away  till  I  shall  ha/s  Acquitted  myself  of  tba 
debt." 

"  Nonsense  I  it's  all  in  the  day's  sport.  Yoc  « ould  do  as  much  for  o:e  if 
it' had  been  the  other  way  alwut.*' 

""  I  doi^t  it — I  draw  the  line  at  grizzly.  But  you  know  tihat  luch  a  ser vioo 
obliges  the  doer  as  much  as  the  receiver.    Come  along." 

"I  tell  yon,  I  am  i?sed  to  samp dowi  inywhere  I  feel  sleepy.  I  h»v«  bo  fear 
dl  kheuroatiam,"  returned  the  young  m^  a.  gaily. 

"  I  beg  you  to  accompany  me  to  my  camp,  for  t  am  q«ite  lame,  and  spend  at 
least  a  night  there. ' 

"  Do  you  insi.st  upon  that  ?  "  inquired  Dearboin,  with  a  singular  esprassfi^, 

"Certainly;  we  must  drink  to  our  better  acquaintance;"  dragging  btft' 
feverishly  along. 

"  Have  your  own  way." 

"  You  Englishmen  are  all  as  rich  as  you  are  eccentric,  but  »0  man  can  be 
too  rich.     I  may  be  able  to  relieve  myself  of  some  of  my  obligation  yet." 

"  Not  a  'vord  of  that !  As  for  accompanying  you  to  yoar  camp,  please  tv 
observe  that  you  enireattd  me  to  do  So." 

"  I'd  forcS  you  If  I  could." 

"This  is  n  queer  work),  and  in  this  v^dif/tsess  passtens rtd«  aneoAiitriilmid. 
Friends  overnight  shoot  at  one  ssuther  at  sight  at  noon  of  the  morrn-w !  If 
we  ever  fall  out,  mind,  you  must  not  blame  me,  since  I  wanted  to  be  lett  alone, 
us  I  came." 

"  What  trash  I  You  are  Joking  in  that  dry  way  whfeh  we  Sjjtanish  We!! 
ui^dcrs'and.    You  have  sr.ved  my  !«ra.* 

"  It  looks  so,  does  it  not  f  SriU, !  shoold  fed  more  cCitoifl  tni  that  point,  ottd 
rate  srjyB«lf  more  of  a  hero  if  we  had  those  bearskins— one  apiece! " 

"  rtf  sitnd  twerty  ssjea  to  track  tbem  to  the  death,  and  you  shati  liav*  lotii. 
But  come  on." 

Leaning  upon  the  sttnniyer's  srm  in  an  affectionate  tranner,  Captain  KWd 
pressed  on  an  nimbly  ai»  his  shattered  nerves  and  inaily  crippled  state  i^' 


Ufi^MH. 


Iiw^i 


:^ed.    Not  one  loolr 


Sid  he  give,  and  yet,  had  he  been  i»w  :ai55 


the  otiier  «ide  of  the  rising  fround,  over  which  Ranald  had  driven  the  ternfied 
bruins,  he  would  have  been  given  food  for  reflection. 

Ici  f»ct,  sitting  on  vhcir  tails,  without  their  heads,  which  they  held  in  their 
paws,  the  bears  were  laughing  with  supplementary  inner  mouths  belonging-  to 
cmtte  human  countenances.  Thene  bore  a  strong  resemblance  to  those  of 
Cherokee  Bill  and  Jim  Ridge.  They,  of  f^w  men,  had  the  nrcessa^j' know~ 
led^c  of  grizzly's  life  and  demeanour  to  play  the  part  which  h.id  completely 
deceived  Captain  Kidd,  and  would  have  succeeded  with  a  more  skilled  hunter. 
Presently  the  two  disrobed  themselves,  flung  away  the  osier  rods  wh'ch  had 
sivolled  out  the  skins,  packed  the  latter  up,  and  winS;ed  droUy  atone  another. 

"  I  say,  Bill,  mind  you  see  the  editor  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  Squflcker,'* 
observea  the  old  trapper,  humorously,  "  and  insert  the  item  that  Mr.  R. 
Dearborn  was  introduced  to  Captain  ludd  by  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  Bead  " 


CHAPl'ER  XVI. 

TH>  THORN  CF  ROSES. 

f*%as  going  On  seven  o'clock  when  the  unhappy  Captain  o!  the  Gold-seefcw 
nxtd  his  deliverer,  as  be  emphatically  termed  him,  reached  the  former's  ciinip. 

The  weather  kept  cold,  and  the  frost  was  biting.  The  cloudless  sky  of  a  clear 
night  was  lavishly  sprinkled  with  the  brightest  stars. 

Lieutenant  Carcajieu  was  on  the  point  of  sending  out  seme  scouts  to  find  the 
captain  and  missing  men  as  he  reappeared.  He  was  warmly  gree^^d.  Not 
that  his  fellows  doated  upon  him ;  but,  being  like  seamen  navicatiog  an  un- 
known sea,  they  would  have  been  in  a  quandary  if  he  had  eloped.  After  thanking 
them,  the  leader  gave  an  account  of  his  adventure,  upon  which  the  congratu. 
iations  broke  forth  afresh  for  one  who  had  escaped  two  grizzlies.  Three  or 
four  men,  as  they  were  fully  equipped,  were  directed  to  go  out  and  bring  in  tKs 
remains  of  the  English  convict. 

"  By  the  way,  where's  the  Frenchman?"  enquired  Kidd,  though  d<  irous  <rf 
rtipose. 

"  Paul  h^  not  returned,"  responded  the  lieutenant,  to  his  surprise.  "  Though 
is  It's  blamed  late  for  scrar.bling  round  in  the  district  oveifiowing  with  b'ar." 

."  1  hope  nothing**  befallen  him,"  observed  Kidd,  gravely.  "  Double  th« 
force  of  scouts,  and  let  them  move  loost  warily." 

Leaving  Joe  to  govt  rn  the  camp,  and  seeking  thf  recuperati  ^n  of  which  h« 
felt  in  need,  the  captain  and  Dearborn  proceeded  towards  the  tent.  Wearied, 
aching,  and  mediutive,  Kidd  did  not  remark  a  quick  peculiar  sign  of  "friendl" 
from  the  yownc  hunter  to  his  right-hand  nian.  A  plate  additJonal  wfls  set  for 
Dearborn,  and  the  captain  plied  a  good  knife  and  fork.  Soon  he  «ive  the 
negro  Samson  an  order.  In  five  minutes  its  purport  was  made  manifest,  for 
the  black  man  usherwl  in  under  the  canvas  flap.  Donna  Rosario.  She  came 
forward  in  a  singularly  embarrassed  way,  b  feveifisii  blush  on  har  face,  and 
her  eyes  curiously  enkindled.  She  seemed  struggling  between  interest  in  the 
Gtrungor  and  s  resolVs  not  to  exhibit  it. 


iKKsn  abin  to  a>i« 
riven  the  tetri6*U^ 

hey  held  in  thdr 
uths  belonging'  to 
ance  to  those   of 

necessary  know- 

h  h.td  compisteljr 

}re  skilled  hunter. 

rods  wh'ch  had 
at  one  another. 
HtaiK  Squflchfr," 
tern  that  Mr.  R. 

Beatl" 


t  the  Gold-seek«ni 
the  (ormer's  camp, 
idless  slf^  of  a  cleur 

e  scouts  to  find  the 
rmly  greeted.  Not 
navigating  an  on- 
>ed.  After  thanking 
hich  the  congratu^ 
^riiizltes.  Three  or 
at  and  bring  in  ths 

though  d<  Irous  o£ 

surprise.  "Though 
ing  with  h'ar." 
ely.    "  I?oubIe  the 

•rati  --n  of  which  he 
he  tent.  Wearied, 
iT  sign  of  "friend I" 
ditiona!  was  set  for 

Soon  he  |»ve  the 
rnade  manifest,  for 
llcsario.    She  came 

on  har  face,  andl 
^  interest  in.  the 


This  catition  woflsa  ejuSckly  maatertK!,  that  It  waa  Invisible  by  the  time  sho 
haJ  taken  a  seat  prepared  for  her  belween  the  two  men.  Dearbors  Lad  gazed 
at  her  with  no  other  »t<i(:iment  than  admiration,  unless,  also,  some  pity  was 
involuntariij  betrayed. 

Ordinarily  Cajtain  Kidd  let  no  incident  escape  him  ;  but  he  was  too  brtiised 
.ind  too  faniifihed  not  to  be  exceedingly  self-concentrated.  Happiij  lor  them^ 
therefore,  nothing  nnet  his  eye. 

"  I  must  ask  your  forgiveness,  tfinya,"  he  said  in  Spanish,  in  a  voice  h 
he  tr!«d  to  tofteit,  "  I  ougitt  to  have  notified  you  of  a  stranger  gueat." 

"  As  the  mler,  sir,  you  can  do  just  as  you  please,"  she  returned,  with  indl^ 
ference. 

"  Nay,  nay,  my  sweet)  I  don't  wast  the  gentleman  to  have  a  poor  opinkiM 
of  ntie,  and  sup[>ose  I  act  tyrannicaliy  over  you." 

'*  1  beg  pardon,  Mr.  Kidd,"  intervtipted  Dearborn,  playing  osreieasty  with  hll 
imife,  "  as  everybody  has  his  hands  li*!l  in  minding  his  own  business,  I  nH>ke  it 
a  rti'.'  Mver  to  go  ouv  of  my  way  supposing  things.  At  the  same  time,  this 
foreign  language  before  a  guest  is  not  what  I  was  educated  to  call  the  correct 
etiquette.  Besidt-s,  if  you  must  disoass  family  matters  vfitfc  this  young  lady, 
whom  I  take  to  b^  your'daughter,  would  it  not  be  t>etter  to  put  that  by  tilt  we 
are  through  the  meal  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  thought  you  knew  Spanish, "  returned  the  captain,  smoothir.  *'  The 
lady  is  not  my  daughter,  but  my  ward — a  far- removed  relative — but  I  love  her 
as  if  she  v  ~>Te  my  own  child ;  and  there  is  nothing  that  depends  on  me  tb«t 
should  not  be  hers  to  satisfy  her  in  any  way." 

The  ^\t\  smiled  mockingly.  The  laptain  never  stored  a  muscle  as  he  w«Bt-' 
on  thus: 

"  I  was  merely  observing,  my  pet— ^«»r»'rf8  iVi»>'tf— that  I  never  shontd  l«»*#i 
invited  a  complete  irtranger  hitheiw-^jne  I  have  only  known  a  few  hours — to " 
our  guest  but  for  bis  having  rendered  me  one  of  those  servicer  utterij'  ani 
able.    In  plain  Etiglish,  he  has  saved  my  life" 

<*  Delighted  t»  hear  it,"  rejoined  the  yomg  lady,  nibbHng  lit  tiw 
biscuit. 

"  It  is  only  too  true,"  took  up  the  htinter,  laughing,  "  that,  witho^  wuf^ 
vaunt,  my  interpolation  in  your  trialogue  with  the  gri«zly  bears  alone  pre* 
vented  the  last  repartee  bdng  rather  fatal  than  otherwise  to  yow." 

"  Ugh !  the  bare  idea  nsakes  me  shudder  I  "  said  the  captain,  with  nt      ten*" 
tion  to  jest.    "  I  am  all  over  goose-ficsh  now  I  " 

"  Did  this  gentleman  really  save  you  froan  the  monsters?  "  queried  she,  «{N 
parently  at  length  interested  in  the  conversation. 

"  Save  is  i,ke  word  1 "  ejaculated  the  bandit  chief.  "  I  was  under  the  very 
clows,  between  the  terth  of  tlie  horrible  beesta,  So  shake  again,  Mi.  Dear- 
born," he  added,  with  a  fine  tragi-comic  offering  of  his  band.  "  We  are  brothers 
light  on  till  death  do  us  part!  !  am  not  much  given  to  speechtfyingr  but  f 
have  a  rare  memory  for  ^>od  aad  evil  deeds  done  me,  and  as  1  live,  you  may 
ask  anything  of  mine,  and  halvcn  we  go  in  it,  thoegh  'tli  ray  gold  placer  in  the 
—-—  well  yondtr  I " 

"(Mind,  I'm  booking  that  offer,  eaptain."  said  the  young  man,  with  an  Eogltsh* 
tnan's  hearty  jovialily ;  "  I  am  not  a  r.An  to  iorget  easily,  either,  and  !  am  ft 
grcac  fellow' Jbr  taking  p«oj»ie  at  their  word.  S^,  though  I  am  for  claiwing 
Kothing  jofit  now,  do  you  see,  I  should  not  wonder  if  some  day  '  remind  yott  3t 
jourpledps,     £e  h«!o  yo>i««lf  readv  to  nicet  the  demand,  and  tash  up." 

"  There  is  no  reminder  sit«ded  in  my  case,"  said  the  captain,  rather  coidqr 
and  praadly.    "  You  will  hod  me  reksiy  t«  act  up  t«  my  piedgefn," 


Jam 


mmm 


"Therefore,  I  shall ao>t  4wel!  od  that  poiat.  L«t  uf  thangis  thesubject.  You 
.  wrr«  Istughinz  at  me  as  a  fo«il>M«ty  son  of  fcMtuae  vrho  renuwH:^  old  Ciwnii^ 
luxwrias,  ana  penetratts  the  AuKsricwi  wiKlerness,  qmise  by  himself,"  he  Haid, 
with  a  stress  meant  far  the  auditre^s  to  mark  tlie  pltniso ;  "  hiX,  what  the  pfaguu 
briofs  you  into  desolstion  P  You  bav«  not  the  look  of  a  merciaant.  You  would 
not  na^gta  antd  bicker  with  McsiKS.  1,0  4t  Qo^  at  ^t*  Yaakeas  piajr^'ulljr  cm  tiM 
noble  son  oi  the  forest." 

"  Quite  s<>,  I  am  not  he«  to  trad*.    Oh,  dear,  no  I    I  am  |ust  jogging  abu  j." 

"  But  whither  f  I  do  aoi  want  to  ;,<«  ru4«;  but  whera  there  ar*  ••:>  roadi,  it 
should  imagine  ona's  route  led  nowliera.* 

"  The  proof  that  your  inquiry  is>  not  impertinent  is  shown  ia  my  fndy 
answtsrti^  you.  My  coursa  is  pubJic  property.  On  Um  border,  vnetyotkts 
frnows  fhat  my  mates  and  I  Are  goine  to  the  gold  fields." 

"  Oh,  altar  R^'id,"  rapeated  the  other  with  well-faigas'1  surprise  "  0\  m*  the 
nmge  into  Caiiforina  ?  In  that  case,  if  there's  any  reliance  in  maps — th  )ngii 
wban  maps  are  made  by  geographers  at  a  desk  ten  thousand  miles  off,  I  hava 
not  too  much  faith  in  maps  myself— well,  you  are  askew  1  Granting  you  tha 
fiodiog  of  &  pass  in  the  Roclues,  you  will  be  three  weeks  reac.^iug  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Nevada  Range,  atvd  if  you  go  that  way  and  can  climb  the  Oregonian 
Heigtits,  you  will  be  throe  is  getting  down  to  Portland.    EitSier  way,  you 

will  have  se  heavy  and  (ati        ^  a  '  j«£t'  that  I  ivandar  very  much  that  you  tak« 
a  delicate  young  lady  with  you." 

"  What  you  say  may  be  very  true,  sir  j  bul,  to  begin  with,  do  ■ot  *^\m  aiwy 
with  the  wrong  notion.  This  young  lady  would  not  be  in  my  comfiany — I  may 
better  say,  oae  of  my  company— if  it  were  aot  absolutely  her  wish  and  will." 

"Oh,  now  I  cur!  back  into  my  shell,"  said  the  Englishman,  with  a  sardonic 
smile,  "  I  cannot  say  I  am  amazed  at  the  fair  young  lady's  diitermination.  Your 
American  girls  have  already  a  name  in  Sutopa  for  darmg,  dsvotioa,  constancy, 
and — caprices." 

"  I  be^  your  parrion,  sir,"  broke  in  the  young  lady,  looking  at  him  fixedly, "  foir 
intervenmg  in  your  coaversidion  unbcsought,  but  you  should  b«  fuUy  iotorm^l 
•a  one  point,  Mr.  Dearborn — i  believe  you  arc  so  lianied — " 

"  Rana'4  Dfiarborn,  at  your  service." 

"  Wtfll,  Mr.  Ranald  Drarbom,  I  do  oiit  deaervfi  your  eulogy  isi  a«y  measure. 
Captain  Kidd  lies,  and  very  well  knows  tb^  he  lies,  when  he  aasests  that  I  wish 
to  accompany  him  is  his  journey.  I  am  here,  i«  his  cora|>any— as  he  puts  it— 
in  s^ite  of  myself,  ag  unst  nsy  will,  because  i  have  been  shamefully  torn  from 
ail  Uie  semblance  ol  i.ome  that  I  had,  and  dragged  tbe«ca  I  know  not  whither. 
I  am  no  relative  of  his,  not  his  ward,  but  his  slave  I " 

"  Senyorita  I "  began  the  captain  violently,  on  recovering  bis  tongue. 

"  bo  you  dare  deny  itl  "  she  cried,  energetically,  lookiiig  him  in  the  eyM. 
"  It  is  high  time  the  truth  came  out  1  and  that  everybody  knew  of  what  j-ou  are 
capable,  and  what  my  position  is  1  I  thank  Heaven  you  tove  at  last  brought  a 
strauger  to  my  hearing,  not  your  hang-dog  confederates.  Too  well,  senyor, 
you  reliad  on  my  scorn  and  acquiescence  when  you  bad  the  impudence  to  utter 
thme  words.  I  will  not  allow  my  weakness  to  bring  me  in  as  your  accomplice ! 
Mr.  Dearborn,"  she  continueo,  taroing  abruptly  to  the  hunter^  "  this  man  has 
!i«d  i  he  has  cowardly  abducted  me  tor  reasons  unknown,  and  he  inteads  to 
laaw  mj  dead  body  so  far  &otn  ciinlieation  that  it  will  aevar  rise  in  fadgment 
0i'  this  woiki  against  hW." 

"  Have  a  care,  young  kdf,"  said  tte  eaptaSn,  moedi^  **l  taat  teJ;  y^a  run 
jfl:m>  far  in  this  style — " 

''One  moment,  captaia,"  broke  in  Dsafborn,  sternly,  "  questiona  ftM ^raised 


m^^vn 


sm 


m  Tkem  ^f  Masts. 


65 


thtt&iibject.  Vou 
uncos  oM  Ciwniry 
i:mself,"  h«  "aid. 
^t  wiis.t  the  plaguu 
Uaot.     You  would 

pisjrlully  cait  the 

St  jogging  aloiiy." 
I  ara  «o  roadi,  t 

own  in  my  fr««ly 
bordeff  overyono 

>riae.  "Owthe 
in  maiw— th  )agh 

miles  off,  I  hav« 
Granting  yoa  the 
ckiug  the  eastern 
inbthe  Oregonian 

Bitfier  way,  you 
inch  that  you  talc* 

do  aot  run  amy 
'  comfiany — I  may 
wish  and  will." 
I,  with  a  sardonic 
iimination.  Your 
:votioa,  constancy, 

it  him  fixedly,  "for 
.fae4i%  ia&nned 


r  »  any  measBtc. 
asseirts  that  I  wish 
f-tMbe  puts  it— 
"wfuHy  torn  from 
toow  aot  whither, 

8  tongue, 
him  in  the  eyes. 
r-  of  what  you  «|« 
>  at  last  brougiit  a 
roo  well,  senyor, 
npudence  to  utter 
yotur  accomplice  ( 
r,  "this  man  has 
nd  he  intends  to 
tise  in  jndgment 

CtOit  le*  y^a  run 

>stion&  are  raised 


But  I  am  obiig       o  observe  that ; 


which  do  not  comis  into  roy  province.    But  I  am        _ 

or  anybody  else— !lia>  got  to  behave  like  a  i^ntienun  when  a  kdy  la  preiieot- 

"  But,  sir,  if-" 

"  I  know  no  ifs  or  buts,  sir,  for  none  but  a  coward  and  a  blackguard  woeio 
threaten  a  defenceless  woman.  You  brought  her  here  as  the  ornament  to  the 
supper  table,  so  it's  your  own  fault.  I  warn  you  once  for  all  that,  before  me, 
you  will  have  to  treat  the  young  lady  with  all  the  rcipect  due  to  her  aire  snd 
sex,  or  else  we  shiill  have  to  settle  the  punctilio  of  etiquette  with  pistol  or  icnife  ! 
and  I  doubt  if  you  will  be  lucky  enough  to  have  any  on^  burst  in  between  yoa 
and  mo  as  I  did  between  yon  and  the  priMlies." 

"  Good  gracious,  sir,"  the  captain  hastened  to  fenly,  the  last  turn  of  tho 
defiant  speech  making  him  cease  to  bite  his  Up»  till  the  blood  ran,  "  I  am  very 
sorry  this  awkward  incident  occnxrid — very !  Nothing  of  tho  kind  did  ever  take 
place  ;  and  4  f  hall  take  the  greatest  heed  it  does  not  repeat  itself,"  he  went  on, 
with  a  look  of  evil  augury  aside  at  the  girl,  who  was  wringing  her  hands  and 
tapping  the  ground  with  her  feet.  "  1  allow  that  I  let  myself  ramble  farther 
than  I  ought.  To  show  you  how  much  I  regret  having  displeased  the  y&Wtgi 
lady,  I  beg  I»er  to  overlook  the  offence,  and  bear  me  no  grudge." 

Ro»8i  tossed  ber  head  diadainiully. 

"  That's  Riore  like,"  said  the  English  hunter,  lightly  |  "  since  yoa  apologifWii. 
I  haven't  •  word  to  say o" 

"  Yes ;  I  am  thoroughly  vexed,  hst  wa  drop  the  hot  but  dying  coals  of  db* 
sentiott.  thenfore,  an4 '-—  what  »«rc  wc  uUdng  about  when  they  ftev  out  of 
the  fire  f" 

*'  I  don't  kitiow  now." 

"  Oh,  senyor,  you  were  observing  tkat  it  looked  as  If  my  present  rwrte  for  th* 
gold- fields  would  bring  m*  out  in  the  Sacramenti/  Valley,  or  at  Vancouver's. 
Are  you  sure  P  " 

"  Well,  I  am  no  retide-t ;  but,  coining  down  from  the  North,  few  sgSA  ot 
gold-bearing  tracts  met  n.y     vmble  vision." 

"  Did  you  come  i.hrough  the  Yellowstone  Basin f"  Inquired  the  captain, 

"  What  the  Canadisas  called  the  '  Infernal  Regions,'  and  the  tr^opcrr  tM 
'  Fire-holes?'  Well,  not  what  you  can  call  through.  I  did— *8  I  do  when  a  big 
band  of  Indians  cross  my  trail—!  skirted  it.  They  say  it  is  the  devil's  own 
home  on  earth ;  and  1  have  uu  wish,  prematurely,  to  soak  [n  a  sulphur  bath !  " 

"  Mr.  Dearborn,  are  you  the  man  to  render  me  still  a  further  service  f  " 

•'  I  want  to  know,  you  kncfw,"  said  the  EogiJshnmn,  humoroualy. 

"Diablo!  r>u  are  in  no  hurry  to  contract  youraxtlf  into  a  harfain,  Mnyor ; * 
commented  "Ut.  Kidd,  with  A  bitter  grin. 

"  Being  a  foreigner " 

"  It's  prudent.  I  wish  I  had  always  been  hS  slow  to  plunge  at  your  agei  TtnU 
me,  where  were  you  going  wban  we  met  *  " 

"Southerly:  I  came  to  hunt.  But  the  prneitce  of  lodiiiina  jsoakes  dba  f«tir 
that  a  solitary  man  would  bu  hunted  here." 

"  If  you  Iwve  no  disinclination  to  remain  with  a  force  around  you  al  vrhick 
no  Indian  lances  will  tilt,"  said  Capl.ain  Kirf'^,  proudly,  "  I  €&!■.  offer  you  some- 
thiug — a  way  to  utilise  your  mcentl/'gained  knowledge  in  skirting  the  Yciiow 
stone  Basin  ;  guide  us  inside  it  I  " 

"  Why,  what  the  ■ " 

«'G.>idl  that's  the 'the I •" 

"Gold  there >" 


Tile  pfairie  rovGr  leaned  f 


fyyitrrxi'A    i-c^lf . ! 


both  elbows  on  th«  board,  and  RtUAg 


his  g>owiag  eyes  OB  thu  Engiis.imiia,  spukii  earoeBtty  as  follows. 


m 


The  Red  River  Half- Breed. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

BfiW  "frbi;,;m  PAUt"  QOT  HURt. 

"  I  AM  qafte  sore,"  said  lUdd,  "  that  the  stones  told  to  frighten  outsiders  from 
the  district,  which  lies  thereaway,  are  invented  by  the  reds  and  by  the  few  whites 
who  have  explored  it,  for  the  same  end — to  keep  ite  metallic  treasures,  perchance 
those  of  precious  stones ;  besides,  here  we  shall  perish  in  Ihe  storms.  That 
horrid  one  nearly  laid  us  out  stiff;  I  want  to  escape  them.  Within  that  charmed 
valley  volcanoes  maintain  the  temperature  of  spring;  grass  is  eternal  for 
cattle ;  the  unfro«en  ground  can  be  broken  up ;  the  water  always  runs  for  gold- 
washing  1  i  say,  guide  m  into  that  natural  garden ;  and  in  two  weeks,  should  no 
gold  be  found,  you  can  depart.  You  shall  name  your  terms ;  and,  with  the 
(foods  and  dollars,  go  your  way.  If  we  find  gold,  you  shall  have  your  lot  as  ft 
cnetnber  of  the  band— reduced  by  losses,  so  that  the  shares  tte  not  unreasonably 
matiy— as  guide,  and  as  the  leader's  partner  I  " 

"  Yon  are  very  frank.  You  do  not  anderstand  that  an  English  gentleman 
does  not  let  money  influence  him " 

"  Bah,  bah  1  a  'hidalgo,  ay,  a  grandee  of  old  Spain  goes  gold  banting  and 
never  dreams  of  a  reproach  to  his  blue  blood,  for  the  royal  n.  al  ennobles 
Its  seekers.  That  apart,  if  yon  are  here  for  adventure,  I  foresee  that  you  will 
have  no  lack  of  that— more  muotard  than  be<rf !" 

'  Aiiow  mo  a«)ther  remark ;  whatever  ray  la!«te  aa  regards  money,  there  Is 
one  thing  1  iove  more— my  freedom." 

"  Great  heavens  I  then  I  am  patting  you  In  the  place  to  be  the  freest  In  the 
banvi.  What  a  pilot  is  at  sea,  a  guide  is  to  a  hunters'  band.  The  captain  him- 
stlf  has  to  submit  to  many  things  onerous,  which  the  guide  escapes.  He  gives 
(»o  one  an  account  of  his  doings  wnen  he  has  been  absent ;  he  leaves  at  any 
hcur  and  stays  as  long  as  he  likes— the  band  must  await  him  or  go  on  to  the 
rendervous  which  he  arranged.  You  cry  halt  1  when  you  are  tired,  or  hungry, 
or  stbirst,  and  we  halt  under  the  tree  you  point  out.  Freedom  ?  If  I  were  not 
the  cnptftia,  I'd  rather  be  iiie  guide,  upon  my  honour!" 

•'  If  that  is  how  a  guide  can  act,"  remarked  Dearborn,  as  if  wavenng,  I 
don't  mind  agreeing.  It  is  fully  understood  that  I  accept  out  of  kindness,  and 
because,  l-wing  «avcd  your  life,  I  wish  to  complete  the  work,  and  not  leave 
vou  to  be  overwhelmed  by  a  bliizard  on  the  very  threshold  of  the  Enchanted 
Valley,  as  yoa  esteem  it  1 

The  captain  joined  in  the  laugh. 

"  More  frankness,"  he  proceeded.  "  My  men  are  rough  rogues,  nc*  worth 
tie  loop  that  will  finish  them,  and  I  shall  be  the  happier  with  a  genuine 
gi'ntleman  the  more  at  my  side.  Whatever  your  conditions,  I  gladly  will  pay 
rJiftin.     Is  it  settled  ?" 

*'  You  shall  be  shown  the  Y.ellowstoae  Hole  as  if  I  were  opening  a  drawing- 
rociirs  door,  captain." 

"  When  may  wft  start  f" 

"  To-w>orTO-Wi  gnnris*;," 

"  That  will  be  cajpslal,  for  1  expect  a  Httle  reinforcement  to  come  to." 


p<w  "  Prenek  Paul"  got  Hurl. 


iten  outsiders  from 
d  by  the  few  whites 
reasures,  perchance 
the  storms.  That 
'tthin  that  charmed 
rass  is  eternal  for 
vays  runs  few  gold* 
ro  weeks,  should  no 
■ms ;  and,  with  tha 
have  your  lot  as  a 
e  not  unreasonably 

English  gentleman 

fid  hunting  and 
rr>  'al  ennobles 
iresee  that  you  will 

ds  money,  there  !• 

>e  the  freest  in  the 
The  captain  bim> 
escapes.  He  gives 
;  he  leaves  at  any 
lim  or  gt>  on  to  th« 
re  tiredf  or  hungry, 
om  ?    U  I  were  not 

,  as  if  wavering,  "  I 
ut  oS  kindness,  and 
Hjrk,  and  not  leave 
[  of  the  Enchanted 


rognes,  n<A  worth  5| 
er  with  a  genuino'-? 
IS,  1  gladly  will  pay 


opening  a  drawing' 


to  come  in.* 


""fhen  I  shall  give  the  wurd  to  start  and  go  when  I  see  yoaat  dawn," 
observed  the  hunter,  taking  up  his  riflo  as  he  rose. 

"  Do  you  mean  you  are  going  so  untimely  f" 

"  Yes.  Look  here,  I  haven't  asked  a  gueylion  about  the  reinforcement  you 
mention,  though  that  interests  the  guide.  So  don't  you  put  any  to  mc," 
returned  Dearborn,  ironically; 

"  Quite  right.  But  whilst  you  may  keep  back  what  you  pleas*  fron;  the  chief, 
he  must  confide  everything  in  the  head-scout.  I  am  adding  some  women  and 
children  to  the  band.  They  will  weaken  us,  but  be  a  tower  of  strength  by  ,ind 
bye.    I  can  say  no  more  at  t^resent." 

"  You  need  not  have  said  so  much." 

"  When  you  see  them  you  will  see  all  the  women— that  is,  except  a  companion 
of  my  dear  niece — a  Scotch  lady,  who  came  to  our  camp  for  refuge  from  the 
Indians  who  destroyed  her  party." 

"A  regular  'squaw'  band,"  remarked  the  Englishman,  naturally  enough 
contemptuous  if  he  had  already  imbibed  the  hunter's  sentiments. 

The  ciaptain  approved  with  a  smile,  but  Donna  Rosario  seemed  to  frown, 
though  she  appreciated  properly  the  sincerity  of  the  speaker's  raillwy. 

"  Good  hunting  till  to-morrow,"  said  the  bandit,  seeing  his  friend  and 
partner  clear  to  the  outpost,  and  announcing  his  status  on  the  way  to  all 
comets. 

Without  waiting  for  the  captain's  return,  Rosario  returned  to  her  nook  in 
the  rock. 

"Good  news,  Ulla!"  she  exclaimed  to  the  other  girl,  who  was  in  some 
anxiety.  "  I  have  had  a  perfect  outbreak  with  our  tyrant,  but  I  have  seen 
your  brave  friend.  What  d..ring  to  walk  into  the  camp  among  so  many 
villains  I  I  declare  I  am  quite  proud  of  him  myself,  and  you  may  well  be 
jealous  till  1  have  some  idol  of  my  own.  Cheer  up !  happiness  is  beginning  to 
smile  on  us  I" 

The  leader  returned  slowly  to  the  tent.  On  the  way  he  met  the  Canajieu, 
who  was  walking  up  and  down  sulkily  as  if  he  disapproved  of  the  new 
addition  to  the  party,  and  the  qiasi-superiority  accorded  him. 

"What's  the  matter?" 

"  Nothing  new  yet !"  was  the  grumbling  reply. 

"  None  olt  the  scouts  come  in  !•" 

"  Part  have,  bringing  what  is  left  of  Sydney  Dick  \a  two  ptee«.  The  Injin* 
have  been  playing  high  old  pranks  with  him,  hide  and  he|id  I  and  the  re^t 
are  probing  the  snow  drifts  for  the  Frenchman.  It  will  be  a  windfall  for  u$ 
that  blew  him  into  fifty  feet  of  never-melting  snows'!" 

•'  You  don't  seem  to  waste  any  affection  on  him  1" 

"  It's  a  liar  who'd  say  so."  " 

"Hove  him  no  better.  His  treachercus  face  imported  good  to  no  one.  But 
we  are  in  no  such  luck  to  be  rid  of  him,  too."- 

In  taking  "the  last  squint"  around,  they  saw  pitchpine  knot  torches  flashing 
on  the  plain. 

"  What  did  I  say  ?  -The  boys  have  found  him,  you  be  sure." 

Retracing  their  steps  to  the  pickets,  they  found  the  torches  coniing  on  as 
slowly  as  in  a  funeral  procession. 

"^ One  can  newer  tell,"  observed  joe  5  "may  be  they've  had  a  brush  with  the 
Injins." 

"  Not  in  the  dark,  lieutenant.  Besides,  those  red  devils  must  be  still  Stiff 
with  the  freesittg.  It's  those  confounded  bears,  wild  &t  bavins  been  robbed  of 
rae." 


68 


The  Red  JShtr  m{f-Sre«d, 


It  wa»  qwt«  batf-U)  bow  bti<am  the  aotemoly  tiient  watrh  brought  thtt 
torclies  near  enough  for  their  light,  falling  on  th«  ccouta,  to  reveal  that  thtf 
carried  on  a  hand-barrow  of  pine  poles  a  figure  vaguely  re:triabUog  a  loaa'a.  ■ 

"  Have  you  found  the  Frenchman  t " 

"  Ye»,  captain,  but  in  damaged  conditioa  I " 

"  Do  you  mean  to  say  he  is  hurt  P  " 

"  Have  a  little  patience— or  lend  a  hand,  if  you  an  in  such  a  burry  I "  eifed 
tfaa  men. 

Thev  laid  their  burden  down  tenderly  enough  by  a  watch-fire. 

"  A  little  more  gently,  burn  your  bones  I ''  groaned  Lottery  Paul,  throwiftg 
off  the  buffalo  robe  coats  and  blankets  kindly  laid  over  him  ;  "don't  you  wane 
to  leave  me  one  whole  bone  among  'em." 

"  What's  come  to  you,  friend  ?  '   oueried  the  captain. 

**  A  stupid  question  ;  better  ask  wu  came  at  me  ? — I  can  reply  to  that,  after  a 
fashion." 

"  Thunder  I  my  poor  boy,  your  accident  aeems  to  have  soured  your  usually 
.swaet  temper." 

"  Oh,  yo'4  call  that  an  accident,  do  you,  old  man  t  Much  obliged  for  an 
explanation  of  your  notion  of  an  accident.  What's  your  narie  for  the  fire  of  a 
battery  of  nine-pounders  and  a  charge  of  drugoons  t " 

"  Why  don't  you  speak  out  I  TtelluB,  or  go  to  death  your  own  way— if  WB 
cant  do  any  good  to  you." 

"  I  know  you  can.     Hand  over  the  whisky  !  * 

"  You  ass !  that  would  be  a  gulp  of '  sudden  death '  tn  fact." 

"  More  nonsense  1  how  do  you  know  what  state  I  am  in  before  I  tell  you  f  I 
am  dying  of  thirst,  that's  just  what  ails  me — so  pass  along  the  bottle,  or  I'll 
speak  nothing 

"Give  it  hiiL    ind  let  him  choke  himself,"  said  Kidd,  enraged  at  the  obstinacy. 

Paul  snatched  the  bottle  and  dtank  a  long  draught,  his  laugh  mingling  wiUi 
the  gurgling. 

"  Whoop  I"  cried  he,  dropping  the  nearly  emptied  flaak  witti  a  grin  ol 
content.  "  I  feel  better  already.  A  poor  idea  you  have  of  a  seout'a  outfit,  Id 
send  that  cahoot  out  without  a  drink  in  the  herdl  "  ,^ 

"  Will  you  talk  up  now,  you  brute  P"  '   > 

"  Orders  received  for  a  Fourth  of  July  oration  1 " 

"  Well,  where  are  you  hurt,  to  begin  with  ?  " 

"  All  over — a  bullet  through  the  right  arm,  another  grazed  on  ribs,  the  small 
of  my  back  caught  a  rap  from  the  butt  end  of  a  rifle,  and  I  offer  a  complete 
collection  of  scratches  and  bruises  from  a  drop  iato  a  aoow-pittwbare  a  fire  had 
melted  it  twenty  feet — " 

"  My  fire,"  ejaculated  the  captain. 

"  Oh,  have  I  to  thank  you  for  that  trick  I  My  spirit  must  be  pretty  tightly 
boxed  up  in  my  body,  after  all,  not  to  have  been  bounced  out.  However,  it 
looks  as  if  I  should  get  round  after  a  bit,  and  then  somd>ody  will  aak  who 
exploded  a  giant-cartridge  next  door  to  his  blanket." 

f'  Who  P  ''^ 

"  The  man  that  served  me  so.  Do  you  fancy  I  have  been  taking  mygelf  by 
the  throat  and  levelling  the  snow  with  me  I  " 

"  If  you  go  on  with  such  a  rigmarole,  we  shall  understand  very  little." 

"  That's  so,  captain.  To  put  it  short — you  sent  me  out  on  the  scout.  That's 
admitted P — gooa.  I  spread  myself  to  no  purpose;  not  a  trace  oq  the  snow 
where  e/en  a  witch- wolf  must  have  left  some  print.  It  got  to  be  after  sua, 
darkening,  end  my  vvulfish  giiawinj  under  my  belt  set  me  campwards,  a  Uttte 


y 

w 
ol 
ai 
oi 
ai 
m 

y< 

wi 


an 

'j 

g>> 
to 

lik 
•1 
asi 
ia| 

th 

yt 

sed 

in 

wa 

swi 
bal 


Hoif  "Virmfk  Paid"  got  Hurt 


€9 


,  to  rwenl  that  thqr 
ciablipg  «  otaa'tt  ■ 


h-fire. 

>ttery  Pan',  throwiikg 

m;  "don't  you  www 

»  reply  to  that,  after  a 

aoured  your  usually 

Much  obliged  for  an 
tiar  le  for  the  fire  of  a 

your  ownway— if  WB 


act." 

n  before  I  tell  you  f    1 

ong  the  bottle,  or  111 

iraged  at  the  obstinaqr. 
3  laugh  mingling  with 

I  flaalc  with  a  grin  <* 
I  of  a  sseut'a  out»t  w 


aaed  nw  ribs,  the  smalt 
ad  I  oifer  a  complete 
ow-^t,  where  a  fire  had 

must  be  pretty  tightly 
need  out.  However,  it 
somebody  will  ask  who 

been  taking  myself  by 

itand  very  little." 
ut  on  the  scout.    That  s 
»t  a  trace  oq  the  snow 
It  got  to  be  after  aun, 
me  eampwards,  a  iit*te 


cardcim  I  am  nUr,  id,  for  •omGbi>dy  h^vd  ate,  and  I  heitfil*  a  nai^y  thnateatog 
voice  chaliMge  me  with  a  '  Who  gow  there  f ' " 

"  'Twas  a  man,"  cri«d  Captain  Kidd, 

"  Unless  the  praisie  dogs  talk  English,"  r«joia«ii  the  Parisian,  laughing 
through  a  grimace  of  pain.  " '  It's  a  fri«nd,'  1  answered,  getting  mv  gun  round 
to  have  first  shot.  '  Where  from  f  Here  was  a  chance  to  get  in  aonw  big 
lie ;  but  i  thought  a  white  man  would  b«  best  bump«d  oft  by  «  boast  of  oar 
tum-ont.  '  From  the  Montwia  GoldhuntersI  We're  two  hundrwd  stroi^,  mA 
twenty  miles  yonder.'  '  I  am  no  frier.d  of  neoMndrela  of  your  Udooy,'  saM  this 
p»rti<Ma«  tsdiow.  It  looks  as  if  he  knew  ail  about  us.  '  Pull  up  and  pull  out 
>•  your  taip  U  oa  ! '  '  How  long  ttoce  you  staked  out  this  territory,'  said 
itching  a  giimp«e  of  the  muxsie  of  his  piece.  'I  am  not  goi«g  to  quit  tiil 
you  show  me  your  papers,'  and  I  pulled  the  tri^^r.  But  Itw  worst  of  it  is,  that 
when  I  couM  spy  his  gun,  h«  saw  miite,  and  we  fired  together,  with  the  shade 
of  preference  to  the  stranger.  That's  about  while  I  felt  the  ball  throueh  my 
arm,  and  my  gun  had  to  drop.  I  had  it  up  quick  in  my  other  hand,  and  ttaped 
on  the  shooter.  But  another  bullet  came  oa  m«  in  trie  side,  from  th*  flash, 
and  I  was  stretched  on  my  back  instantly.  That  feilow  rushed  right  up  to 
me,  and  held  me  down  with  his  foot  till  i  had  received  this  sp«ecfe  i  'Yott  have 
your  dose.  The  otten  wilt  now  get  theses  i  add,  if  it  is  a  littJe  stow  ooaaing,  it 
will  be  kept  hot  I'" 

"  The  man  said  that  ?  "  cried  Kidd. 

"  Clearly.  That  made  mc  suppose,  cap'n,  that  some  of  your  acquaintances 
are  hovering  round,  and  will  stir  )rou  up  yet." 

"  Go  on,''  muttered  the  bandit  chief,  frowning,  and  becoming  thoughtful. 

"  So  did  he— go  on  I  I  tried  to  get  out  my  knife  to  learn  how  thick  his  leg- 
gins  were,  when  he  turned  mc  over  and  set  to  kicking  me  as  if  he  was  bound 
to  wear  his  boots  out  in  the  shortest  possible  time.  1  was  rolled  over  and  over 
like  a  log  towards  the  river,  and  he  yelling  out  the  most  abusive  language. 
'  Take  that,  thief  I  and  that,  piraro  !  and  that,  toUur  de  trappes  !  and  that, 
assassin  I '  There  were  enotieh  and  to  spare  for  ten  apiece  to  all  you  rascals 
in  the  <mmp,  captain  iaiHoded  1  LvcUly,  in  hie  blind  fury,  he  kicked  me  over 
the  ends  of  some  burnt  logs,  and  down  I  fell  irtto  the  pit  which  that  fire  (d 
your'e  had  melted.  I  thought  it  was  an  Injin  b'ar-trap  wh«>n  I  came  to  my 
senses,  and  f  climbed  out  mighty  rapid  for  fear  either  b'ar  or  Injin  would  drop 
in  on  nie.  Somehow  1  crawled  in  the  pruper  direction,  afeared  to  raise  a 
woo-ao  for  Dick ;  and  at  last  the  boys  hit  upon  me.  Good  boys,  though  '  have 
swore  some  at  'em.  They  deserve  ttaeir  quenchers,  and,  old  man,  I'll  take  the 
balance  In  that  flask." 

He  was  given  more  drink;  spirits  is  the  panacea  of  such  men. 

"So,"  said  Kidd,  "you  were  enable  to  fuWI  my  charge,  and  haee  brought 
back  BO  infonnatien  beyond  this  attack  on  youf  " 

"  1  saw  nobody  but  that  one  man.  If  he  who  sent  the  second  shot  had  joined 
in  that  "booting,'  the  boys  wouhi  have  only  picked  up  a  pancaite." 

"  This  ta  painfully  strangel  " 

"  Oh,  I  think  it  strangely  painful  t " 

"  What  kind  of  man  was  your  assmilant  f  " 

"  That's  the  puszle,"  replied  the  railbg  Parisiafl.  "  By  the  voice,  «  white 
man.  But  I  did  not  see  hfim.  It  was  so  dark,  and  he  was  on  me  liiw  a  tiger  t 
and  then  he  kept  me  rolling  over  and  over,  so  that  I  had  not  one  fair  pesp  at 
his  nose.  I  shall  only  know  him  again  by  the  length  of  his  foot  and  tbe  tone 
of  his  veioe." 

"  If  that's  all,  bah  !  we'll  iake  care  of  him,  mates." 

D 


IMAGE  EV/ 
TEST  TARGI 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


Sciences 
Corporation 


iiiinniwimnMiLj  4  I...1II  iwjwin  >in<i»mj.i|«iim»iiii>iiii  miMii.iiinuiiiiinuiiiHWiwiwwwwiiiww 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


i 


/ 


o 


^ 


^ 


1 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


1^  1^    112.2 
40     12.0 


1.8 


1.4 


1.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREIT 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M5S0 

(716)  S72-4503 


'^  >a;  ^ 


'4^ 


^ 


CIHM/iCMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Insti 


MH 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


roreproductions  /  Inttitut  canadien  da  microraproductions  hiatoriquas 


'..»..,iiU...i!U..L-ftHII 


70 


The  Red  River  Half-Breed. 


After  the  ei:citeinMft  of  his  tetiin|r  the  mi&adveature,  French  Paul  was  rfutl 
«nd  lifeless ;  then  he  raved  with  pain,  for  he  had  not  a  dollar's  breadth  of  his 
body  without  a  bruise.  Yet  he  bore  the  dressing  and  araintiog  with  crude 
kerosene  oil  aad  snake  juice  with  fortitude.  Next  begging  a  drink,  and 
"freezing"  to  the  bottle,  he  went  to  sleep  drunk.  His  last  words  were: 
"Don't  you  fret,  boys — any  of  you  that  I  ow«  money  to.  I  shall  come  up 
smiling  ;  for  him  that's  horned  to  be  hanged  won't  be  kicked  to  death  nohow." 

Meanwhile  Captain  Kidd  strayed  into  his  tent  very  thoughtfully  after  having 
enjoined  Corky  Joe  to  exercise  the  utmost  vigilance.    : 

For  years  upon  years  this  desperado  had  struggled  against  society,  and 
sported  with  all  laws  and  regulations ;  but  now  he  vaw  the  horizon  circle  in 
upon  him.  He  could  not  drive  away  the  foreboding  that  the  hour  of  a  terrible 
punishment  was  approaching.  All  night  long  he  walked  up  and  down  in  the 
tent,  revolving  the  most  fantastic  projects.  A  few  minutes  befo/e  sunrise,  a 
man  coughed  at  the  tent-opening  in  that  warning  way  customary  where  nten 
sleop  with  weapons  in  the  hand,  and  might,  if  abruptly  awakened,  put  a  bullet 
mechanically  in  the  innocent  arouser,  I'he  cloth  was  lilted  and  a  man  appeared, 
whom  Captain  Kidd  greeted  with  joy. 

It  was  Dearborn.  .    ;,..  E.«,,rj,»s 

At  least  here  waa  a  follower  who  punctually  kept  Us  mtd.       '  \  '  '-ri-': 


^  -^t  '"■  "j 

1.   ,     %,     <     CHAPTER  XVIII. 

ftOSARIO  BleiNS  TO  HOP*. 

The  Captain  went  up  to  the  hunter  quickly,  and  briskljr  extending  his  band, 
bade  him  welcome.  But  the  other  was  so  bi<sy  filling  his  short  meerschaum 
pipe,  that  he  did  not  apparently  perceive  the  hand,  aod  simply  thanked  him. 

"  When  do  we  make  a  start,  captain  ?"  he  inquired. 

"  Right  away,"  replied  Kidd  in  a  feverish  voice, 
.   He  issued  orders  forthwith,  so  that  the  greatest  animation  soon  stirred  the 
encampment,  everybody  being  delighted  to  get  out  of  the  bad  spot.     In  a  couple 
of  hours  subsequently  the  train  was  on  thu  move,  with  Dearborn  scouting  in  th* 
van. 

A  two-mule  litter  carried  Doana  Rosaiio,  whilst  the  other  women  were 
"  piled  in,  somehow,  anyhow"  in  the  huge  wagons  covered  with  a  waterproof 
cloth. 

Behind  the  captain,  the  men  sauntered  alone;,  their  guns  quite  r«ady  on  th«ir 
shoulders,  keeping  one  eye  on  the  wagons  and  the  other  on  the  country,  so  to 
say. 

From  seven  to  mid-day  nothing  occurred  of  any  moment.  The  roads,  if  they 
could  be  called  such  where  none  were  traced  save  by  wild  beasts  going  to  water, 
were  in  such  a.conditioD  that  wheeled  traffic  was  bound  to  be  sfow.  Now  and 
again  a  gang  of  men  took  to  axes  or  spades,  as  the  case  might  bn,  and  hewed 
or  levelled  a  path. 

In  "  the  nooning,"  the  cattle  were  breathed  and  rested.  In  five  hours,  not 
twenty  miles  had  b«ea  covered. 


-J   „j 


Frencl-  Paul  w»»  *«tt 
iollar's  breadth  of  his 
arointing  with  crude 
egging  a  drink,  and 
lis  last  words  were  s 
to.  I  shall  come  up 
ted  to  death  nohow." 
ughtfully  after  having 

against  society,  and 
the  horizon  circle  in 
t  the  hoar  of  a  terrible 
d  up  and  down  in  the 
nutes  before  sunrise,  a 
customary  where  nftn 
awakened,  put  a  buUet 
>d  and  a  man  appeared, 


vord. 


'fStvi 


...  jif  ' 


kly  extending  his  hand, 
his  short  meerschaum 
.  simply  thanked  him. 


mation  soon  stirred  the 
>e  bad  spot.  In  a  coupl« 
Dearborn  scouting  in  th* 

the  other  women  were 
ivered  with  a  waterproof 

{uns  quite  ready  on  tkfir 
er  on  the  country,  so  to 

nent.  The  roads,  if  they 
ild  beasts  going  to  water, 
id  to  be  slow.  Now  and 
Lse  might  bA,  and  hewed 

ited.    In  five  hours,  oot 


ikosttrh  iegins  to  thpe. 


11 


The  halting-place  chosen  was  in  a  rather  broad  open  land  in  the  thick  of  a 
cedar  and  pmey  wood,  through  which  brawled  a  torrent  having  accessible  banks 
only  in  one  spot. 

A  little  on  one  side,  a  tent  was  hastily  run  up  for  Donna  Rosario.  Th**  other 
women  were  strictly,  even  cruelly  severely  guarded,  and  kept  from  speaking 
together,  still  less  to  the  adventurer,  as  much  as  possible. 

Since  the  Englishman's  introduction  into  the  camp,  Miss  Mactan  had  cheered 
up  wonderfully.  No  nods  or  rebukes  constrained  her  from  displaying  her 
telief,  and  soon  she  set-to  singing.  In  a  brief  space  she  became  the  licensed 
songstress  of  the  band,  for  the  rudest  Americans  have  a  f  ndness  for  n)usic. 
She  was  so  likexl  after  this,  that  thj  men  would  have  rebellea  if  she  had  been 
silenced  by  the  Captain,  or  Corky  Joe,  though,  to  tell  the  truth,  these  snijiled 
patronizingly  on  her  efforts. 

Ulla  had  conceived  a  genu?.-.;  'Section  for  Rosario,  if  only  bec9usc  she  was 
so  sad  and  pale.  On  her  part,  the  Southerner  was  touched  by  'ler  delicate 
attentions,  and  it  was  a  great  consolation  for  her  to  meet  with  a  loving  soul  and 
tender  heart,  to  say  nothing  of  a  vigorous  intelligence.  Once  the  ice  was 
broken,  they  became  inseparable. 

Kidd  marked  this  connection  with  pleasure;    he  favoured   it  rather  than 
fettered  it.     He  had  been  vexed  by  iiis  captive's  pining  I'A'ay,  and  hoped  that 
'the  different  temperament  of  the  Scotch  young  lady  ^/ould  exert  a  powerful 
influence  on  tha  Spaniard's  mind,  and  act  healthily  on  her  reflections. 

The  halt  had  hardly  been  cried  before  the  scout  looked  close  to  his  gun. 

"In  two  hours  we  must  be  off  again,"  he  remarked ;  "  this  is  no  spot  to  make 
a  prolonged  stay  in.  One  good  thing  Is,  that  the  weather  is  clearing  up,  and  the 
ground  will  be  good  for  travelling.  We  must  do  our  best  whilst  things  are  on 
our  side." 

"Excellent  advice!"  coincided  the  leader;  "but  how  about  dinner  with 
us?"  / 

"  No,  no,"  returned  the  other,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  your  salt  horse  and  boiled 
beans  do  not  go  down  with  me.  I  am  not  tired,  and  I  am  not  hungry.  S«  I 
prefer  to  sweep  the  country  and  try  to  find  a  bit  of  game  to  tickle  my  palate." 

"  A  gcod  idea  again,"  said  the  captain,  laughing.  "  You  are  the  first  scout  1 
ever  came  across  who  had  no  appetite.     Well,  good  luck  1" 

"  Many  thanks,"  replied  the  other,  with  one  of  th  '>se  smiles  which  the  Spanish 
call  half  sour  grapes,  half  tiweet  figs,  to  which  he  .  temed  addicted  for  Kidd's 
benefit. 

He  strode  away  rapidly,  and  was  speedily  lost  to  view. 

"  A  queer  character,"  observed  the  adventurer ;  "  but  they  are  all  queer  the 
farther  up  north  one  gets  !  However,  we  ntust  take  men  as  we  find  them.  He 
seems  true  and  faithful,  and  that's  the  main  thing.  Besides,  where'shis  interest 
in  betraying  me  f  What  a  fool  I  am  I  Is  there  not  always  something  to  be 
gained  by  betraying  a  man  like  me  ?  Tut,  tut  I  am  I  going  daft  like  Davo 
Steelder,  or,  rather,"  he  weat  on  with  a  cunning  smile,  "  crazy  in  the  real  vein. 
It  hss  come  to  this,  that  lately  I  am  worrying  myself  into  a  fever." 

At  this  point  up  came  Corl^  Joe. 

"  Oh,  here  you  are,  eh  ?     How's  that  wretch  Paul  getting  on  ?" 

"  Paul's  as  lucky  as  an  Injin  doctor  ["answered  the  lieutenant,  laughing.  "He 
hardly  fe«ls  the  knocking  about.  He  hrals  up  like  a  man  who  never  soaked  in 
whisl^.  When  I  left  him  he  was  packing  away  cold  beef  like  an  Injin  warrior 
after  a  fast,  and  drinking  like  the  Great  American  Dessrt  when  the  rum  cask  is 
staved.    He's  going  to  get  round  it,  don't  you  fret," 

"  I  reckoned  he  would  1" 


*'  II!  be  fair  to  him,  beside9~-li«  doot  want  no  nurslAg ;  h«  WLAts  to  buckle 
to  hi*  work  right  off." 

"  No,  no,  stop  that.  Compel  him  to  rest  a  day  or  two,  wiiich  wiU  make  hhn 
more  useful  and  bother  us  less.** 

"  Oh,  I  say,  cap. !  I'v*  put  extra  senlinels  out  all  round." 

"  You  did  quite  Hght ;  though  there's  nothing  scarey,  we  had  better  be  on  our 
guard.  Those  Red  River  Half-breeds  are  no  more  to  be  trusted  than  the  pure- 
bred red  men  ;  and  I  v.  iah  they  were  both  drowned  In  the  nearest  salt  poo)  I 
But  hurry  up  to  dinner;  I  feel  as  shnrp  aa  a  meat-saw  freshly  filed!  " 

"  That's  me ! "  added  "  Corky  Joe,"  promptly  as  an  echo. 

Long  before  the  men  were  through  their  meal,  voraciously  though  they  ate, 
the  two  young  ladies,  who  met  in  the  wilderness  from  such  opposite  directions, 
had  finished  theirs— of  which  they  had  made  but  a  modcery. 

"  Something  unusual  is  about  us,  senyorita,"  said  Miss  Maclan  to  Rosario, 
with  an  arch  look.  "  There  is  a  gay  expression  on  your  features,  to  which  they 
are  not  habituated.  Sorely,  now,  something  r>.w  is  at  haad;  I  \u^  you  are 
going  to  tell  me  ?  " 

"  How  curious  we  are  i "  returned  the  South  tnttt,  smiling. 

"  Do  not  judge  me  wrongfully,  iadoUnt  «^«ature  I  It  is  not  iiiquisitiveoess 
that  moves  me,  but  friendship." 

"  I  am  well  aware  of  that,  darling ;  so  I  shall  not  make  yo«  langubh.  I  am 
going  to  tell  you  everything." 

"  That  is  nice ;  and  I  do  love  you  In  the  same  frank  way.  But  wait  a  bit, 
until  I  make  sure  that  we  have  no  ea/esdroppers.  It  is  a  sensiUe  thing  to  be 
prudent  hereabouts,  with  persons  handy  who  make  no  scrapie^  about  likening !  " 

She  set  up  a  song  to  express  unconcern,  and  went  out  of  the  tent  for  a  short 
absence.  When  she  reappeared,  she  laid  her  finger  on  her  lips  to  impress 
caution,  and  sat  down  close  beside  her,  so  that  they  could  converse  in  whispers. 

"  Do  you  mean  they  are  watching  us  P"  queried  Donna  Rosario. 

**  We  are  always  watched,"  was  th«  B&swer;  "  but  this  tioie  jnon  "harply 
tlitn  ever  I "  ^  - 

"I  wonder  why  J" 

"I  cannot  say."  .*.  , . 

"  But  cnnnot  you  guess,  as  the  Yankees  do  f  r  , »  . 

"No;  nor  even  suppose.  What  do  you  think  ol  tMsf—lhew  are  atatt'.m 
posted  all  around  the  camp  t  " 

"  That's  not  strange,  silly  I  That  ii  done  every  time  they  stop." 

"  i  daresay,  senyorita  ;  but         " 

*"  Why,  that's  to  Ireep  the  Indians  off — not  to  keep  us  in  I  " 
'  "  But  why  are  they  put  everywhere  except  jurt  behind  this  tent  t " 
j^    "What  dfo  you  say?" 
"''You  can  See  for  yourself,  Rosario!"     :-^--  - -^^  ..  ^ -' V.'     ■  ■ -■  -«  . 

♦*  What  do  you  C(>nclude  from  this  arr<»ngemB«t#* 
'  "  To  my  mind,  for  some  hidden  reason,  they  want  to  fill  as  with  &n.  idea  on 
which  we  should  be  gulled  into  acting.     I  am  certain  of  this — that  Lieutenant 
Joe  placed  the  men  on  the  watch  himself,     it  is  some  trick,  in  spite,  of  that 
wretch,  who  hates  you  worse  than  the  captain  I " 

"  You  are  out  of  your  wits,  dear  1 "  responded  the  Mexican,  hutghiag.  "  Yonr 
reasoning  is  all  askew  I " 

^  Mtich  obliged  1  Does  not  the  Lieutenant  plague  you  all  he  can  ?  " 

The  dark  girl  approached  hef  lips  te  ths  other's  quick  ear,  aiid  geal^ 
Weathed — 

"  Joe  is  our  friend — our  only  friend  I " 


he  WLAts  to  buckle 
wiiich  wiU  mako  hkn 


had  better  be  on  our 
mated  than  the  pure- 
M  nearest  salt  pool  I 
htyfiksdi" 
o. 

usiy  though  thejr  ate, 
:h  opposite  directions, 

"■y- 

o  Maclan  to  Rosano, 
eatures,  to  which  they 
band ;  1  h<^  jwu  are 

"8-        .       ... 

i*  not  iMquiaitiveiMM 

Be  jwk  knjiuish.    I  am 

way.  But  wait  a  bit, 
a  sensiWo  thing  to  be 
iplci  about  listening  !  " 
of  the  tent  for  a  short 
m  her  lips  to  impress 
i  converse  in  whispers, 
a  Rosario. 
his  time  mora  •tutrply 


IsN-there  are  se^rles 
ey  stop." 


in  I" 
thisteotr" 


fill  OS  with  UL  idea  «• 

f  this — that  Lieutenant 

trick,  in  spit«,  o£  that 

dean,  iaugrhing.  "Y««r 

ailhecanr" 

quidE  «ar,  and.  {^atljr 


RosanU  H'hf^ 


Hop*. 


7S 


"Eh?"  exclaimed  Mim  Kdclan,  unable  to  betieve  she  had  heard  aright,  as 
she  fastened  a  frightened  look  on  the  speaker ;  "  the  Ueateaant  «ur  friend— you 
are  jesting  I "  -^ 

"  I  repeat  that  he  is  our  most  devoted  friend ;  I  more  than  know  it— I  hold 
the  proof  of  it." 

"  Oh,  dear  mc  t "  ejaculated  UUa,  in  almost  comic  surprise,  it  was  so  extreme. 

"Yes,"  went  on  Roaario,  "when  I  was  left  by  myself,  he  came  to  met 
profiting  by  Captain  Kidd's  absence.  He  made  hii>  true  character  kaown  to  me, 
and  pledged  entire  devotion.  He  said  that  he  v.'a3  in  the  caravan  to  guard  and 
save  me.  After  recommending  me  to  be  as  wise  as  possible,  he  hit  me  the 
most  undeniable  proof  of  his  ^ood  faith,  proof  that  would  turn  terribly  against 
him  if  he  were  to  betray  me  instead  of  serving  me.  What  do  you  think  of 
that  f » 

"Oh,  that  explains  your  having  been  so  strange  and  excited  when  J  came 
back  to  you,"  cried  Miss  Maclan,  clapping  her  hant'^  incautiously.  "  1  under- 
stand now.  But  why  did  you  not  let  me  know  before  K  This  was  unkind,  as  I 
was  so  uneasy  about  you." 

"  Don't  bear  me  any  ill-will,  for  I  was  distraught  with  sudden  gladness." 

"  What  an  amazing  thing.  That  Joe  fellow  is  very  ugly,"  eaid  Miss  Maclan, 
merrily ;  "  but  I  shall  try  to  love  him  now !  "  ^ 

"  Now  it  is  you  who  are  excited,  girl.    Calm  yourself,  lest  we  be  overheard. 

"  No,  no,  there  is  nothing  to  fear,  at  least,  in  the  immediate  present.  Ob, 
dear  Rosario,  what  a  blessing  this  is  for  ;^du,  and  perhaps  for  me,  for  I  am  to 
keep  by  you,  am  I  not  ?  What  a  mercy  it  will  be  to  fUt  through  the  ^p  of 
that  nasty  Captain  Kidd,  a  gallows-bird,  who  never  even  blinks  behind  hia 
fpectacles." 

'•Yes,  yes,  no  parting  between  us,  dear  Ulla.  We  will  remain  frieitda 
always.    Columbia  and  Caledonia  for  ever.     Hip,  hip,  hur— — " 

But  she  did  not  conclude  her  burlesque  cheering.  The  two  girls  wew  la 
one  another's  arms,  weeping  tears  of  hope  and  joyfulness,  when  %  sharp,  yet 
low  hiss  pierced  the  silence,  and  made  Donna  Rosario  prick  up  her  ears.  She 
came  from  a  climate  where  abounded  reptiles  making  such  a  sound. 

Presently,  a  spent  revolver  cartridge  shell  was  neatly  cast  so  as  to  roll  in 
under  the  tcrt  e.^ge,  almost  to  the  girls'  fc:t.  Miss  Maclan  picked  up  the 
cylinder,  being  tiie  nearer  and  the  more  courageous.  A  paper  was  curled  up  in 
it,  and  slightly  protruded.  She  pulled  it  out  with  trembling  iingers.  It  opened, 
and  she  saw  ft  was  addressed  to  her.  She  rapidly  ran  her  eyes  ovet  it,  and  tk«n 
slowly  and  thankfully  read  it  aloud. 

These  were  the  contents ; — 

"  Dear  Miss  Maclan, — All  obstacles  are  overcome,  an  that  I  have  beaa 
more  than  happy  enough  to  discover  your  whereabouts,  for  i  -vn  even  close  to 
you.  I  am  on  the  watch,  so  hope  1  I  may  even  succeed  in  ^ting  spee<^h 
with  you.    Much  to  say.  Ranald  Dbakborn.' 

There  was  a  p<»tscript,  wishing  her  hope  and  courage,  and  bidding  her  burn 
the  note. 

•'  That  must  come  from  a  friend,  no  doubt  ?"  observed  Rosario,  slyly. 

"  Oh,  indeed,"  replied  the  Scotch  girl,  suppressing  a  xigh,  "  a  very  dear,  leal 
friend,  in  whose  promises  I  can  place  complete  trust." 

"  Why,  things  ^o  better  and  better.  I  should  not  wonde;:  if  »•  were  freed 
before  a  great  while." 

"  Heaven  grant  it." 

"  Don't  you  forget  what  was  told  you.* 

"What?" 


mmmm^mm 


ii 


|i 


2%f  Med  Riier  Ha{f'Bree,i. 


"  Tb  >  buroing  the  paper,  g;potie.    It  is  important,  |  rather  agre*." 

"  M  ust  it  be  dest  royea  ?  " 

"  Decidedly,  my  dear ;  w^re  the  captain  to  find  a  Hite  of  it,  you  and  yotir 
-friend  would  be  tost.  Dearborn  is  the  name  of  the  new  guide,  who  >ead  Mr. 
Kidd  a  lesson  in  behaviour  to  a  lady.  He  known  as  ot>r  friend,  too,  and  a 
correspondent,  w»«  would  be  separated." 

"  Very  well,  then,  I  shall  not  hesitate.  It's  a  painfd  sacrifice,  for,  somehow, 
that  message  seems  written  with  a  consoling  angel's  feather." 

She  began  to  tear  the  paper  with  an  unsteady  hand.  But  at  that  same  instsnt 
*.  heavy  foot  was  heard  at  th*?  door.  Ulla  dropped  the  writing.  But  before  it 
was  half  way  to  the  ground,  the  Southerner  had  caught  it,  and  snatching  some 
tobacco,  shredded,  s*<e  began  to  make  a  cigarette  as  she  lolled  back  with  a  good 
assumption  of  ease. 

"Can  a  body  come  in  without  disturbing  you  too  much?"  inquired  Captain 
Kidd  in  his  well-known  and  little-liked  voice  at  the  door. 

■'  There  is  no  need,  captain,  for  you  to  feign  a  politeness  you  little  rare  for," 
was  Rosario's  reply.  "  Am  I  not  your  very  slave,  and  as  such  obliged  to  obqr 
you  P    As  you  are  the  master,  come  in  if  you  like." 

In  came  the  chief  of  the  gold-grabbers  with  a  little  bow. 

"  Really,  young  lady,"  he  said,  "  my  presence  must  be  very  odious  to  you  if 
'vou  receive  me  always  so  poorly.  Still,  it  does  seem  to  me  that  I  am  trying 
continually  to  please  you  in  every  w«.;''  I  am  not  aware  of  anybody  round  here 
failing  to  treat  you  propeily." 

"  Moral  constraint  is  a  hundred  times  mo.e  irksome  than  physical,  sir.  I  am 
not  free;  that's  the  whole  question;  I  cannot  be  contented  as  long  as  I  am 
prohibited  from  leaving  your  i;amp  for  tvfe,  and  never  setting  eyes  on  you  Or 
your  scoundrelly  followers." 

"  Poor  little  lady  I  "  he  answered,  with  ironical  kindliness,  "  whither  would 
she  go  if  I  were  to  present  her  with  the  freedom  she  lo  gs  for  ?  My  child,  you 
might  not  go  five  miles,  nay,  not  three,  before  down  you  would  go— shot  by  an 
Indian,  one  of  these  Half-breeds,  or  into  some  alkali  sink  pit,  or  wild  beasts' 
lair.  I  jhould  never  have  done  reproaching  myself  if  I  let  you  incur  any  such 
fate." 

"  Oh,  it  is  not  to-day  that  I  have  become  acquainted  with  ytjur  humanity,  sir, 
«nd  your  love  for  your  neighbour.  But  let  us  no  longer  discuss  fruitless  subjects, 
which  I  daresay  interest  you  most  feebly.  I  beg  you  rather  to  inform  me  of 
the  abject  of  your  visit.  Your  time  ia  valuable,  and  you  would  not  waste  it 
chatting  with  a  young  lady." 

This  speech  was  made  with  so  strong  an  accent  of  scornful  fun,  that  her 
hearer  only  overcame  his  anger  by  a  powerful  effort. 

"  I  am  still  waiting,"  re<:umcd  his  tormentor  after  a  minute.  "  Have  you 
nothing,  after  ail,  to  say  ?  " 

"  You  must  forgive  me,  senyorita,"  said  he,  *'  but  your  reception  was  ao 
surprisingly  charming,  that  it  made  me  forget  what  I  came  tor." 

"  Perhaps  I  may  smoke  whilst  it  comes  again,  by  your  leave,  of  course  ?  "  said 
the  impudent  minx,  with  a  sly  glance  at  Miss  M.iclan,  whom  Kidd  affected  to 
regard  as  a  mere  companion,  a  kind  of  better-class  servant.  "  I  am  in  such  a 
way,  lately,  of  palliating  anything  disagreeable  with  a  smoke,  tliat  1  reiMly 
cannot  get  along  without  my  cigar  while  you  are  by  1 " 

She  accepted  a  match  from  Ulla  and  lighted  up. 

"  Now  then,  master,  you  can  fire  away  too  if  you  are  r^ady  1 " 

All  this  was  said  and  done  with  the  free  and  casv  manner  of  an  American 
feJri.    The  malicious  thing  thoroughly  enjoye'  pulling  into  the  very  face  of 


mmrU  eegirs  to  Hope. 


u 


ier»gre<». 

»  <A  it,  you  Mid  your 
guide,  who  tead  Mr. 
n>r  friend,  too,  and  a 

icrifice,  for,  8om«how, 

er." 

ut  at  that  same  instant 

riting.     But  before  it 

t,  and  snatching  some 

oiled  back  with  a  good 

h?"  inqiired  Captain 

•ss  you  little  rare  for," 
1  such  obliged  to  Obqr 


i  very  odious  to  you  If 

me  that  1  am  trying 

of  anybody  round  here 

an  physical,  sir.  t  iii 
nied  as  long  as  1  aiifi 
setting  eyes  on  you  Of 

liness,  "  whither  would 
js  for  ?  My  child,  you 
"would  go— shot  by  an 
nk  pit,  or  wild  beasts' 
let  you  incur  any  such 

?ith  your  hun)anif)[(  sifj 
iscuss  fruitless  subjects, 
atber  to  inform  me  of 
9u  would  not  waste  it 

scornful  fun,  tl»at  her 

I  minute.    "  Have  you 

your  reception  was  m 
me  lor." 

•  leave,  of  course  ?  "  said 
ivhons  Kidd  affected  to 
rant.  "  t  am  in  such  a 
a  smoke,  that  I  really 


ijadyl" 

lanner  of  an  American 
;  into  the  very  face  of 


their  persecutor  the  smoke  of  the  letter  which  conveyed  a  vexation  to  hiiu. 
So  much  satisfaction  was  in  tbi«  unsuspected  revenge  bdore  the  only  person 
able  to  measure  it,  t(;at  Rosariu  felt  even  a  little  less  sjjiteful  towards  the  cnaa 
who  for  once  was  her  victim. 

As  he  had  not  the  ghost  of  a  suspicion,  the  mute  conference  of  the  ^'irlt  had 
no  meaning  in  his  eyes,  but  he  did  notice  with  relief  that  the  American  girl 
looked  less  angry. 

"  Senyorita,"  he  said, "  a  serious  motive  impels  me  here.  I  can  put  it  shortly. 
This  morning  we  started  off  with  the  intention  of  turning  our  backs  on  the 
cheerless  wilds  and  striking  for  quarters  rather  more  hospitable." 

"  So  far,  sir,  I  do  not  hear  anything  much  to  interest  rae," 

"  I  am  coming  to  it.  I  hired  a  new  guide,  whom  I  presented  to  yoa— that 
Mr,  Dearborn." 

"  Well  I  "  she  inquired  loudly,  to  keep  attention  on  her  and  away  from  Miss 
Mtclan,  who  cculd  not  help  colouring  iX  the  uan>e.  "What a  tfaia  cold 
Bagiishman  to  mef  " 

"Of  no  account  to  yon,  very  likely,  miss!  but  he's  everything  to  me.  The 
worthy  young  fellow  saved  my  life,  as  I  told  you.  Over  and  above  my 
gratitude,  there's  any  amount  of  confidence  !  have  in  him." 

"  Go  on  ;  go  on,  sir.  If  you  will  bore  me  with  your  private  business,  I^et 
lae  hear  all  and  be  done  with  itv  I  suppose  there's  nothing  to  spur  you  oo ; 
and  my  time  belongs  to  you  if  to  anyone." 

"  There  you  are,  joking  me  again,  scnyorita.  Still,  I  am  not  talking  at 
random,  and  I  would  not  go  into  these  particulars  if  tbey  could  be  omitted." 

"  Have  your  own  way,  f  tell  you,  captain.  You  w»!re  saying  that  you  enter- 
tained great  confidence  in  your  new  guide,  who  had  saved  your  precious  life. 
You  see  I  remember  what  you  said." 

"  So  you  do.  V/ell,  senyorita,  this  g^ide  promises  to  save  us  three  day^t' 
march  and  to  take  us  in  one  day  into  a  region  almost  temperate.'' 

"  A  very  good  thing  for  you  I  But  you  will  again  allow  my  remark  that  it 
does  not  concern  me." 

"  But  you  have  a  vast  interest  i«x,it !  You  shall  see  for  yourself  too.  It  was 
the  guide  himself  who  suggested  my  coming  to  you." 

"  This  is  getting  extremely  interesting  at  last  f " 

"  Yes,  while  we  were  on  the  move  this  morning." 

"  More  and  more  interesting,"  (the  "aid  seriously,  whilst  Miss  Maclan  leaned 
forward  eagerly, 

"  The  guide  said  to  me,  then,"  went  on  the  captain,  smiling,  " '  I  can,  if  ^u 
like,  avoid  the  long  way  round  and  drop  you  in  foiir-and-twenty  hours  into 
mild  weather ;  but  I  must  not  hide  from  you  that  it  is  by  a  breakneck  road,  so 
dangerous  that  the  bravest  men  .lever  go  through  without  an  attack  of  ague. 
TJere's  only  two  ways  of  doing  it,  on  foot  or  on  horseback.  Your  band  is 
lumbered  up  with  women  and  children.  Reflect  bow  you  are  going  to  get  them 
along.'  My  answer  to  this  was,  '  There's  no  need  to  fret  about  the  women  and 
girls,  as  they  are  frontier  bi-ed  and  know  how  to  rough  it.  There  is  only  one 
person  whose  safety  is  important  to  me,  and  I  do  not  care  to  endanger  her  in  a 
risly  path.  That  person  is  the  Spanish  donna.'  '  If  |he  is  enough  of  a  rider 
to  stick  to  a  horse,  I  warrant  we'll  get  her  through,'  said  he  to  that.  '  Can't 
you  ask  her  anyway  '  Then  we  shsdl  know  whethe-  we  are  in  a  fix  or  not.' 
So  I  said  I  would  see  about  it ;  and  here  I  am,  senyorita,  come  to  disturb  you." 

"  If  one  is  to  go  by  ycur  story,  it  was  more  you  than  the  guide  that  led  to 
your  coming." 

"  To  t^i  the  troth,  my  head  is  contused,  a&d  I  Ao  not  carry  a  cleat  mranoty 


"^''M'Sl5!tWBiT".Wh/»'ssi';*V'.H.'f.'Si«3ae»»#»i>  itsi«K?a»wiKj»i 


Ae(f  River  IJaif-hreeO. 


of  the  exnct  phrtses  employed.  But  this  does  not  matter  much  <.  ne  iray  or  the 
other.  The  main  point  is  to  know,  senjorita,  if  yuu  can  riHe  well  enough  to 
xtay  in  tho  laddle  in  a  bad  bridtu-path." 

"  Either  I  am  very  dull,  or  you  have  left  out  put  of  your  argument,  aenyor, 
though  of  importance." 

"  Ab  I  I  know  what  you  ar«  alluding  to.  You  meaa,  what  ia  to  become  of 
the  baggage  P  " 

"  Yes,  senyor  capitain ;  you  may  •v«ii  say  '  plunder.'  It's  a  popular  word, 
which  well  coven  ytmr  belongings." 

Kidd  laughed  at  the  jest.    Things  were  coming  round  nicely,  after  all. 

"  The  wagons  and  loads  are  going  to  follow  on,  under  sate  guard,  by  the 
next  best  road.    They  will  conne  up  three  or  four  days  after  me  in  our  nook." 

"  Oh,  now  I  understand  the  whole  matter  clearly,  and  nothing  can  be 
simpler." 

"  Well,  what  is  your  answer,  voung  lady  f " 

"  Captain,"  was  the  sad  repl^,  "  the  life  you  believe  so  valuabla  is  a  very 
mean  thing  to  me.  I  attach  tittle  wei^t  'o  it,  so  any  road  is  the  same  as 
another.     Iwill  go  along  with  you  any  way." 

"  I  !>eg  your  pardon,  senyorita,  Mt  either  yoa  don't  or  you  won't  understand. 
You  are  not  answering  me  at  all." 

"  No,  captain  f  I  thought  I  was  I  Yon  asked  nne  if  I  would  go  lidth  j^Mlis 
anew  path,  and  i  say  yes.     That's  straight  rnough."  i     ;Ki 

"  Yes.     You  mean  you  would  trust  to  your  horse  t" 

She  remained  silent,  finishing  the  cigarette. 

"  1  Qause  for  a  positivo  reply." 

"  Well,  I  will  give  you  the  frank  reply  that  yon  require,"  she  said,  with  an 
effort.  "  I  am  not  only  so  poor  a  horsewoman  that  I  should  be  afraid  to  trust 
to  a  horse,  but  1  am  so  ignorant  as  to  be  afraid  to  tnist  myself  on  one.  I  never 
was  in  the  saddle  in  my  life,  liut  was  not  sven  among  my  '  extras '  at  the 
boarding-school." 

"That  will  do,  snnyorita.     I  am  going." 

••  W  hat  do  you  decide  1> " 

'*To  push  on  in  the  oriorlnal  coune.    It's  longer,  but  it's  less  basardoua." 

Ho  made  his  bow  and  departed. 


CHAPTER  XIX, 


THK  NESr  or  TRAITOM. 


'*  DlAB  me,  Rosa,"  exclaimed  Miss  Maclan,  the  tent  being  cleared  once  more, 
"  I  thought  all  you  Soi|them  Americans  rode  horses  like  centaurs.  At  least, 
you  know  my  meaning  though  the  simile  is  bad." 

Rosario  gave  her  a  hug. 

"  Eb,  deriing !  "  she  whispered ;  and  added  "ith a  fiae  smile,  "  At  {^resent 
I  do  not  know  how  to  ride." 

"  But  I  should  have  thought " 

v^Yo»areaotgoodat  the  kind  e£  tUnkiag  wasted  out  here»  basiel    The 


m  ff&it  nt^rtXtirrit. 


77 


much  iM  tmyorthe 
t  nH«  well  etiough  io 

>ur  argument,  senyor, 

what  ia  to  become  of 

It's  a  popular  word, 

nicely,  after  all. 
er  safe  guard,  by  the 
ter  me  in  our  nook." 
and  nothing  can   be 

■o  raluable  is  a  T«ry 
road  is  the  same  as 

you  won't  understand. 

I  would  go  with  yoii  in 


aire,"  she  saM,  with  «it 
ould  be  afraid  to  trust 
lysielf  on  one,  I  never 
ong  nay  '  extras '  at  the 


t's  less  hasardoua." 


sing  cleared  once  more, 
ike  centaurs.    At  least, 


ise  smile,  "  At  present 
out  btxvtf  lassie!    The 


guide  spoken  by  .be  captain  is  devoted  to  us,  eh  f  Ym  ;  well,  then,  if  he  got 
that  idiot  ot  h  .aptain  Kidd  to  put  these  questions  to  me,  it  ia  because  be 
wanted  no  for  an  answer.     Do  jrou  colnpreh<^nd  now  ?  " 

"  Better  than  ever.  Oh,  you  are  keen,  Rosario  I  They  will  not  cheat  you 
easily  1 " 

"  Alas,  dear,  it  is  misfortune's  grindstone  that  shaqtens  wits.  When  even 
girls  are  constantly  surrounded  by  tricks  and  stratagems,  tlie  senses  wear  clear 
and  bright.  Cunning  and  dissimulation  arc  the  mve's  sole  weapons.  We 
can  only  bffRt  our  enemies  with  skill  and  finesse." 

When  the  starting-time  came  Captain  Kidd's  bngie  sounded  it,  and  gave 
orders  for  the  movement.  The  guide  had  not  come  back  from  his  hunt,  but  as 
he  had  left  precise  directions,  the  leader  showed  no  tokens  of  batag  crossed  by 
that  absence,  and  took  the  lead  himself. 

It  was  a  most  painful  journey. 

Out  of  the  snow-lined  woods  issued  a  black  damp  frost,  which  cut  to  the  bone 
even  the  thickest-wrapped.  A  few  large  snow.fl^kee  were  spun  out  of  tree  tops 
and  wandered  about.  The  semblance  of  a  road  was  dreiidfully  cut  up  and 
flanked  by  deep  ^hasms,  which  required  the  utmost  heedfulness  on  the  part  of 
the  teamster  lest  tHe  vehicles  and  pack-animals  were  thrown  down  and  over. 
They  seemed  to  V  a<re  nothin°r  but  ups  and  downs,  and  the  worst  of  the  downs 
was,  it  being  throi'!  jh  torrents  or  pools  where  the  water  wns  excessively  chilly. 

The  caravan  prci  .'eeded  noiselessly  on  the  whole,  excepting  the  groaning  and 
screaming  of  the  witeels  and  the  sonorous  oaths  of  the  drivers :  men  who  do  not 
sleep  happily  unlrsii  they  have  invented  a  fresh  blasphemy  every  day. 

Their  disagreeaHejssSrch,  during  which  but  scanty  progress  was  made  after 
all,  was  kept  on  till  half-past  four,  when  darkness  Came  on.  The  train  had 
rrached  a  natur-.i  clearing  resembling  that  of  their  last  halt. 

Such  a  huge  fire  <<  i  served  our  ancestors  to  roast  oxen  whole,  and  f^  tfccir 
present-day  descendants  now  and  then  use  for  the  same  purpose  at  extraor- 
dinary Teetings,  was  blazing  in  the  open  space.  Right  in  front  stood  the  guide, 
leaning  on  his  rifle  as  ensily  as  if  he  little  cared  for  the  pyre  attracting  Indians 
as  a  lantern  does  gnats  on  a  summer  night. 

The  party  quickened  their  gait  as  much  as  possible,  enheartened  by  the  mddy 
flame  of  which  the  mere  reflection  seemed  to  thaw  their  stiffened  limbs. 

Soon  were  the  wagons  unlimbered  and  ranged  in  defensive  order,  the  mules 
unladen,  and  the  encampment  as  swiftly  installed  as  could  be.  As  the  night 
was  to  be  spent  here,  the  measures  of  assurance  were  unusually  well  taken.  The 
wagons  were  chained  in  two  crescents  connected  by  parallel  bars,  the  interstices 
choked  up  with  ^take  and  thornbushes,  and  the  tents  set  up  within  the  enclosure. 
The  sentries  were  told  to  keep  their  eyes  skinned.  Plenty  of  watchfires  were 
kindled  and  provided  with  fuel. 

Only  when  these  precautions  were  concluded  did  the  gold'grabbers  get  leave 
to  prepare  supper.  Think  what  their  appetite  was  with  this  hard  work  on  top 
of  that  excited  by  the  long  and  arduous  journey.    They  "  wolf'd  "  their  meal. 

After  the  captain  had  sttictly  inspected  the  camp,  investigated  the  surround- 
ing scenery,  and  became  convinced  all  was  in  order,  he  strolled  over  to  Ranald. 
He  was  at  his  own  fire,  smoking  a  pipe,  the  guide  not  being  an  officer  who 
"  chums  "  with  anyone ;   a^ain  a  point  of  resemblance  with  a  sea-pilot. 

"  My  friend  the  hunter,"  said  the  captain,  in  a  most  amicable  tone,  "  I  desire 
yon  to  pass  the  night  with  us,  and  take  supper  with  our  chiefs." 

"  Many  thanks,  captain ;  I  do  not  see  any  reason  why  I  should  go  out  on  the 
prowl  to-night,  and  nothing  bars  me  from  putting  my  knife  into  your  Washings 
ton  pte.    But  a  little  cosditiou  on  that,  captain." 


1 rin»iiiitirtiifiwiii 


MlLi 


mamm 


?•' 


Tke  Red  Rmt  Half-Brefd. 


said 


"  Name  it,  dear  t>oy.    If  '♦   \,^i*  on  me,  It  is  gnvted  beforelMnd," 
Kidd,  who  was  (Mcoming  accustomad  to  Dearborn's  "  little  whims." 

"  I  only  ask  oae  thing,  that  there  shall  be  none  but  men  at  the  beard." 

"  A  '  stag-party  ? '    But  what  do  you  say  that  for  f  " 

"  That's  not  easy  to  erplain.  But  the  fact  is,  I  haven't  come  out  into  the 
wildernesa  to  hear  women  squrak,  and  see  them  mince  about  and  play  »\\ 
those  niminy-piminy  lures  and  graces  that  city  people  think  are  agreeable. 
I  have  no  wish  to  say  a  word  contrary  to  the  respect  1  hold  for  the  young 
Southern  lady  in  your  charge  ;  but,  by  Jove  I  I'll  confess  that  I  prefer  the  woU- 
scaring  faggot  here  to  sitting  at  table  over  af^insf  the  fair  sex." 

"  Oh,  good,"  replied  the  captain,  who  knew  that  for  every  seven  young  men 
whom  a  homicide,  debt,  loss  at  gambling,  love  of  wild  life,  etc.,  drove  into  the 
desert,  there  were  six  whose  first  love  affair  turned  out  disastrously  ;  bethought 
he  pnrceived  at  last  the  true  cause  of  the  youth's  reserved  mood  and  pecu- 
liarities.  "  You'll  not  be  bothered  with  her,  particularly  as  ws  are  going  to 
talk  about  her,  and  could  uoi  well  do  that  if  she  were  by,  or  her  Scotch 
attendant  either," 

"Attendant?" 

"  Yes,  I've  nicked  oat  the  womaa  we  rescued  to  be  her  compaolon.  It 
cboers  her  up.    She  was  moping  a  little."  .  j 

"  Things  being  so,  captain,  I  am  your  man." 

In  five  minutes,  the  captain,  Joe,  and  the  Englishman  were  sapping  together 
t?'th   hearty  xppetite.    When  this  was  a  trine  allayed  by  the  first  counM-, 
Kidd  brought  the  conversation  round  upon   Donna  Rosario,  by  reason  of  hft-; 
having  stopped  the  choice  of  the  ihort  cut. 

"  VVomcn  are  always  a  bothei,"  remarked  the  young  misanthrope  with  !. 
sneer.  "  Witi;  no  intention  to  offend  you,  I  would  not  mind  betting  a  trifle  tltat 
the  young  lady  can  ride  as  well  as  you  or  I." 

"  She  says  the  other  thing,"  returned  the  host,  thoughtful  ol  a  suddbi.. 

"  Out  of  the  spirit  of  contradiction,  that's  all." 

"  It's  very  certain,"  interposed  Joe,  '*  if  she  was  educated  at  New  Orleans, 
that  she  must  be  a  rare  exception  to  the  troops  of  schoolgirls  who  go  out 
riding  on  the  Shell  Road." 

"  It's  all  pure  contradiction,"  resumed  Dearborn;  "who  can  tsy  a  thing  i 
black  to  a  woman  without  her  saying  it  is  white  ?  " 

"  Or  grey,  at  least,"  added  the  lieutenant,  sagely. 

"  That's  why,'J  continued  the  youngest  man,  "  I  have  sworn  oflF  woman's 
society.  Though  the  best  woman  in  creation  came  out  here,  I  should  send 
her  back  to  the  nearest  railway  station  1  I'll  never  cumlier  myself  up  with  the 
b«^^gel  They're  a  bad  bargaia,  though  they  come  with  a  million  iu  the 
Funds  I  " 

'*  Whe  "  exclaimed  Joe,  laughing,  "  our  guide  does  not  strike  me  as  a  very 
passionate  adorer  of  the  sex." 

"  N  no,  don't  put  me  down  as  either  hating  or  liking  them,"  went  on  the 
hunter ,  write  me  as  indifferent.  My  father  was  a  man  of  g^eat  good  sense ; 
an  oracle  in  his  county.  He  used  to  say  that  the  modern  woman  ia  like  the 
grand  piano :  it  looks  useful,  but  it  takes  up  too  much  room,  and  is  always 
the  way.  You  cannot  use  the  wires  for  a  gridiron,  the  top  is  badly  shaped  far  i. 
billiard  table,  and  the  legs  are  so  hard,  you  cannot  chop  them  up  in  a  suddfi 
emergency  for  heating  shaving  water.  And  when  she  is  musical,  the  neigh- 
bours move  out  and  leave  the  last  quarter's  rent  owing.  1  agree  with  my  de 
old  dad." 

The  othets  laughed. 


•m{." 


n* 


n 


,a  granted  beforehind,"  ttid 
■  "  Uuie  whims." 
jut  men  *t  the  bc«rd." 
r  T "  ,         ^ 

I  haven't  cotno  out  into  the 
»  minc«  »bout  and  pUy  »U 
people  think  are  »greeable. 
•pact  i  hold  for  the  young 
OHtew  that  I  prefer  the  woU- 
the  fair  sex." 

it  for  every  teven  young  men 
wild  life,  etc.,  drove  into  the 
I  out  disastrously;  bethought 
I's  reserved  mood  and  pecu- 
ticularly  as  we  are  going  to 
she  wumMi,*"  •**'  o— ..V 


111  to  be  her  compan'.on. 


It 


shman  were  supping  together 

allayed  by  the  first   cOurw-, 

na  Rosario,  by  reason  of  her 

e  voung  misanthrope  with  t. 
d  not  mind  betting  a  trifle  that 

thoughtful  oi  a  suddei-. 

ras  educated  at  New  Orleans, 
ps  of  schoolgirls  who  go  out 

ora;  "who  can  ssya  thing  is 
?" 

,  "  I  have  sworn  off  woman  s 
came  out  here,  I  should  send 
irer  cuml)er  myself  up  with  the 
y  come  with  a  million  in  the 

ie  does  not  strike  me  as  *  very 

I  or  liking  them,"  went  on  the 
as  a  man  of  great  good  sense ; 
the  modern  woman  is  like  the 
I  much  room,  and  is  always  in 
m,  the  top  is  badly  shaped  for  a 
not  chop  them  up  in  a  suddrn 
rhen  she  is  musical,  the  ne«gh- 
t  owing.     I  a^ec  with  my  dear 


"  The  taA  part  of  It  -il  !•,  fhflt  w«  mw*  p«w  th«e  lovt  days  we  might 
h«ve  saved  in  this  dreary  solitude,"  remarfceil  «h«  eapta' 

"  Still,  you  might  take  the  short  cut,"  observed  Jo». 

"  I  don't  see  how." 

"  Well,  my  principle  is,  that  the  few  muet  give  in  U>  the  manr.  Sound 
democratic  maxim.  Donna  Ronario  says  she  cannot  ride.  Nover  mind 
whether  she  can  or  not,  truly ;  but  tbait  does  not  bind  us  down  from  taking  the 
cutoff.    Not  a  bit  of  it." 

"  I  wish  you  would  expUin,"  said  Kidd,  testily.  "  What  would  you  do  in 
my  place,  man  full  of  dodges  1^ " 

"  One  thing— the  easiest  thing  in  the  world,"  t«iponded  the  Carcajieu,  pU^Ing 
with  his  knife  on  a  bone.  "  I  would  pick  out  an  old  sure-foot  mule— we've 
several  rare  good  ones — I'd  put  a  side-saddle  on,  well  filled  'ith  a  bag  of 
leaves,  rugs  b*nnkets,  and  such  fixings,  so  the  lady  should  no.  get  cold,  and 
fasten  her  in." 

'J'  Not  a  bad  notion.     What  do  you  think,  gnid^  ?  " 
"^Dearborn  laughed  in  the  face  of  Joe. 

"And  when  the  mule  slips,  your  har' -bound  lad)  i 
sausage  mMt  in  the  gulf  below.     'JTfaey  ran  eig*^t  h< 

"  Bah  I  that's  nothing.  Apparently,  you  do  not  Vr  -w  what  a  mule  is— a  cat 
for  clinging  to  the  roughnesses,  a  fly  for  wnlkiof       a  fqnt  ^th  perpeo'''       r," 

"  Oh,  if  you  think  the  mul(  can  scraunble  a!         -" 

"  A  mule  can  go  where  we  daren't." 

"  Then  I  will  share  in  your  iieuter...nt'»  si4g?«»t»  i..'  said  Deiabam, 
exchangi>.g  a  sec.ct  glance  of  intelligence  with  joe. 

"That's  Sne,  theni  To-morrow  we  nilt  strik^  t  M  si.  "ght  Une  you 
proposed,  guide.  Are  your  ikornj  *ullP  T».  4.-]^  '  i#  la  t^__Yellow8tene 
V*lWl" 


wovH  he  dashed  tu 
<d  t«et  deeo  round 


CHAPTER    XX. 


THK   UIIDBRUINBK. 


As  it  came  on  nine  o'clock,  Lieutenant  Joe  and  Dearborn  took  le»v«  of  th 
superior  and  of  the  table. 

The  former  of  the  pair  seemed  to  be  overpowered  by  sleepiness,  tor  he  had 
beei^  blinking  likR  an  owl  during  the  conversation,  and,  were  he  not  so  polite  a 
man,  would  have  fallen  forward  and  slumbered  among  the  dishes,  his  head 
on  his  arms. 

The  guide  had  altered  his  purpose;  on  second  thoughts,  he  preferred  to 
make  the  circuit  outside  the  camping-ground  for  the  better  security  of  all.  So 
he  bade  the  captain  good  ri^ht  after  announcing  his  changed  resolve,  and 
promising  to  be  back  a  bit  before  sun-peep. 

Joe  shook  himself  up,  still  polite,  and  volunteered  to  take  the  g^ide  round 
and  show  him  where  the  look-outs  lay,  in  order  he  might  not  get  shot  by 
them  at  thu  dawn.    During  this  short  jaunt  the  two  spoke  Vv.ry  littli     and 


So 


The  Red  RImt  Haif-Brfed. 


what  tbey  tM  ivere  conmanplaoM.  They  Inmr  tp&r»  wet'  tiiat  thejr  i>en 
under  the  eyes  of  the  leader,  who  owae  out  to  the  tent  month  ostensibiyto 
finish  his  ci?ar. 

After  bidding  one  another  good  night  bliifBy,  hunter  and  gold-seeker 
parted.  The  Englishman  leaped  over  the  barricade  and  gli(.ed  into  the 
shadows.  As  Joe  retraced  his  steps,  he  saw  the  captain  disappearing  in  the 
tent,  where  the  loose  flap  fell  and  hid  him. 

The  second  officer  had  a  green  bough  shelter  run  up  for  him  against  a 
rock.  Thither  he  proceeded  and  insinuated  himself  within ;  but,  despite 
the  cold,  he  left  the  wagon  tailboard,  which  might  flatteringly  be  styled  the 
door,  on  one  side.  He  would  not  have  a  fire,  and  showed  no  light.  He 
pulled  out  a  horsehtir-covered  trunk,  sat  on  it,  folded  hir.  arms,  and  appe&red 
to  await  being  frozen  stiff. 

Not  only,  though,  had  all  semblance  of  drowsJoess  quitted  his  featores,  bat, 
judging  by  his  eyes,  he  was  as  wide  awake  as  ever ;  these  were  directed  on  the 
captain's  tent.  Its  opening  end  that  of  his  shed  faced,  so  thai  he  could  spy 
into  it,  protected  himself  by  the  complete  darkness  in  which  he  was  lodged. 

Kidd  kept  a  lamp  burning  for  quite  half  an  hour.    Joe  tried  his  best  to* 
3ee  what  he  was  doing,  but  that  wa>i  not  possible.     Nevertheless,  he  persevered 
in  studying  the  tent  which  contained  so  many  mysteries  for  him.     At  length,  the 
attraction  of  curiosity  was  so  strong  as  to  become  irresistible.    He  left  his 
H'-at,  and,  stealing  forth,  scanned  the  scene  without. 

Deep  stillness  reigned  over  the  daikened  camp,  for  a  fine,  cold  rain  had 
lowered  tbe  fires.  Rolled  up  in  their  blankets,  the  gold-grabbers  had  packed 
into-  shelter  and  slumbered  soundly.  The  watches  themselves,  with  only 
their  noses  and  eyes  exposed,  were  shirunk  up  iato  the  best  covering  the 
b'isbes  and  palissades  afforded  against  the  wet. 

But  the  light  still  glittered  in  the  captain's  tent^ 

The  Carcajieu  would  hold  back  no  more. 

And  yet  he  knew  that  when  the  chief  retired  for  the  night,  he  blow  ^ 
himself  in  so  that  it  was  impossible  to  get  at  him  without  his  leave  or  know- 
ledge. As  for  peering  and  prying,  no  one  had  tried  what  would  lead  to 
discovery.  Besides,  what  could  the  cnritnis  make  of  it :  the  tent  was  double ; 
there  was  full  three  inches  space  between  the  outer  jacket  and  inner  canvas,  a 
precaution  taken  along  with  others  for  serious  reasons,  to  the  end  that,  when 
the  captain  did  shut  himself  up,  he  could  be  delivered  of  d«ly  constraint  and  be 
himself  unfettered. 

Such  were  the  more  ot  le»  plausible  suppositions  to  which  Corky  Joe  bad 
arrived  since  he  formed  part  of  the  expedition.  He  had  often  sought  without 
success  to  discover  this  puzzling  mystery.  But  his  repeated  failures,  far  from 
calming  his  curiosity,  by  proving  the  uselessness  of  his  abortive  attempts,  so 
pricked  him  on,  that  he  determined  at  any  cost  to  tear  the  heart  out  of  the 
enigma.  The  present  occasion  struck  him  as  so  favourable,  that  he  made  up 
ills  mind  to  try  again,  whatever  the  consequences,  if  he  rar  into  a  trap. 

Sharp  as  was  Kidd,  Joe  reckoned  himself  to  be  on  a  par  with  him.  At  least, 
he  rarely  acted  without  forethought,  sound,  though  not  long,  periiaps.  He 
was  patient,  preparing  in  advance  the  msans  for  carrying  out  his  plans.  He 
had  never  yet  been  taken  in  an  unguarded  moment.  Whenever  he  had  failed, 
he  set  down  the  loss  to  chance,  fate,  or  wh.-.tever  name  it  g™**  by. 

Since  too  long  a  time  had  the  faithless  lieutenant  been  planning  out  to  learn 
What  went  on  in  the  -raptain's  snuggery  when  he  was  closeted  in  for  him  not  to 
have  a  better  result,  because  he  profited  by  previous  mischances. 

Matters  stood  jas  follows  this  time — 


■'.■mm 


TheU 


%uerin'ner. 


8i 


at*  we5'  that  they  were 
»ni  mouth  ostensibly  to 

lunter  and  gold-seeker 
ie  and  glii.ed  into  the 
tain  disappearing  in  tt>e 

I  up  for  him  against  a 
If  within;  but,  despite 
flatteringly  be  styled  ^e 
showad  no  light.  He 
I  hir,  arms,  and  appeared 

quitted  bis  featnrea,  bat, 
»ese  were  directed  on  the 
ftd,  so  that  be  could  spy 
whirh  he  was  lodged. 
ir.  Joe  tried  his  best  to* 
evertheless,  he  persevered 
s  for  htm.  At  length,  the 
I  irresistible.    He  left  his 

for  a  fine,  cold  rain  had 
^Id-grabbers  had  packed 
!r3  themselves,  wiih  only 
to  the  bolt  cowring  the 


for  the  night,  he  bloc  ^ 
»ithout  his  leave  or  know- 
ried  what  would  lead  to 
;  it :  the  tent  was  double ; 
acket  and  inner  canvas,  a 
ins,  to  the  end  that,  when 
1  of  daily  constraint  and  be 

i  to  which  Corky  Joe  had 

had  often  sought  without 

repeated  failures,  far  from 

his  abortive  attempts,  so 

tear  the  heart  out  of  the 

vourable,  that  he  made  up 

he  rar  into  a  trap. 

a  par  with  him.    At  least, 

h  not  long,  perhaps.     He 

frying  out  his  plans.     He 

Whenever  he  had  failed, 

lue  it  anrx  by- 
been  planning  out  to  learn 
closeted  in  for  him  not  to 
mischances. 


_  Eveiy  time  th«  train  Matted  tb«  ISetttenant  took  the  advance  with  a  «!ozen 
jiicked  men.  NiJt  only  did  they  scout  and  roughly  clear  a  nod,  but  they  pushed 
on  to  the  oight-(Wimping  ground.  There  they  chopped  btuhes  and  trees,  built 
fires  V  i  even  lit  them  to  warm  the  ground  and  drive  away  vermiiii  as  all  smoll 
game  ia  called,  and  put  up  the  tents  for  Donna  Rosario,  the  women,  and  the 
leader.  These  they  carried  on  led  mut^,  the  cloth  wrapped  roimd  their  tools 
and  eatables,  so  that  part  of  the  load  was  exhausted  on  the  way  and  at  the  end 
of  the  journey.  When  the  main  body  came  up,  it  moved  into  position  already 
traced,  and  complettd  the  entrenchment  with  the  wagons  and  loads.  A  few 
shanties  were  knocked  together,  and  that  waa  all.  If  the  pickets  had  much  of  a 
start,  they  did  so  much  work  whilst  waiting,  that  the  rest  often  did  not  havo  '^3 
delcy  half  an  hour  before  meals. 

The  first  act  of  the  chief  was  to  see  if  his  tent  waa  pitched  to  stUt.  tf  |i6t, 
he  would  have  the  site  fhifted,  and  overlook  this  being  done  in  person  ^  this 
vraa  of  irare  occurrence,  but  it  had  happened.  Though,  in  the  beglRningi  his 
men  had  been  curious  about  the  tent,  two  months'  futi„'ue  had  Dtunted  the 
feeling,  Bendes,  what  interest  had  tired  men,  wet  and  muddy  with  fording,  in 
puzzling  out  matters  of  h5"  value  to  them  P— to  say  iiothing  of  Kidd,  notabJy 
"  sudden  with  his  pistol."  being  always  on  the  lookout.  Beside^,  as  he  had  often 
reflected,  he  was  sure  enough  of  the  relatively  devoted  nature  of  the  pri '>cipals 
of  his  band.  If  he  had  to  do  with  mere  inquisitiveness  his  reasoning  would 
have  been  correct.  Even  Paul  Pry  will  get  fagged  out  in  the  end,  but  it  was 
not  such  a  pattry  nature  th.it  was  pitted  against  him. 

The  Carcajieu  had  potent  grounds  for  persevering  in  unviarthing  his  secret. 
Therefore,  he  would  never  stop  till  that  secret  lay  under  his  feet,  or  he  was 
stretched  dead  upon  it. 

The  captain  was  ignorant  of  this,  and  conld  not  even  dream  of  it.  He  never 
once  thought  of  doubting  Joe,  and  conjecturing  that  he  was  undermining  him 
like  a  mole.  Surrouuding  circumstances  also  forced  him  to  bestow  on  his 
second  as  much  trust  as  lay  in  so  wary  a  character. 

On  pushing  ahead  to  the  can-ping  place,  Joe  had  set  his  pioneers  to  use.  their 
axes  upon  the  brushwood,  whilst  he  examined  the  land. 

The  position  was  intelHfently  selected  by  Dearborn,  healthy  and  easy  to 
defend.  It  was  an  opening  "  park,"  in  the  midst  of  a  thick  wood  climbing  the 
ab'.  upt  foothills  of  the  Rockies.  On  the  right,  an  uncracked  block  of  stone  roKe 
up  sheer  to  an  incalculable  height,  and  forefended  any  ai>.ick  from  that  quarter. 

Like  the  broken  arch  of  a  natural  istone  bridge,  a  huge  rock,  hollowed  out 
by  water  in  ancient  days,  covered  about  a  third  of  the  clearing,  *>*  the  height 
of  a  score  yards.  On  the  left  the  mountain  sides,  well  wooded,  gently 
sloped  down. 

The  Carcajiea"  scanned  the  rocka  alludM  to.  Hurled  from  the  tacuntair. 
crest  y^  some  horrible  catacly»n,  they  had  crashed  together  chaotically,  an(' 
cheating  moss  and  shrubs  seemed  to  hav<ftnit  them  into  a  solid  mass.  In 
reality,  though  nothing  but  a  wonder  of  balancing  kept  them  in  their  arrange- 
ment. There  was  another  discovery  made  by  the  liev  lant,  that  almost  fotced 
him  to  whoop  for  joy,  and  did  force  the  whistling  o-  lively  dance  tune  in  an 
utideitone,  * 

When  the  bushwork  was  formed,  he  went  on  usually  to  have  the  fires  laid  aiid 
th<;  t.jots  reared. 

Til  R  c^pta;^  was  set  up  ender  the  nsttiral  arch,  in  a  most  advantageous  spot, 
BeMiid  and  on  both  sides  the  canvas  was  superfluous,  for  It  waa  in  the  holtow 
of  th«  rock. 

K.ic'id  was  so  delighted  with  this  solid  nook  for  his  night's  lodging,  thai:  b< 


8» 


The  Red  Rtm  iMj-Bmd, 


' 

]  -■ ' 

i 

warmly  thanked  and  congratulated  his  lieutenant,  a  sarprising  ♦hing  to  "the 
boys,"  as  they  knew  him  to  he  chary  of  compliments.  Joe  bovred  himself  out 
of  the  fiowers  of  speech  in  a  modest  way,  and  went  and  hid  ais  blushes  in  his 
greenwood  shanty. 

Scarcely  had  Joe,  about  to  essay  his  dangwous  undertaking,  left  his  ambuah 
before  he  spied  a  shadow  cross  his  path. 

"  Hist?"  he  demand&d,  putting  his  knife  in  readinesi. 

"  Only  me,  the  Drudge,  master,  coming  to  report,"  was  the  whitpered  reply 
of  (he  youth  Leon. 

"  Oh,  that's  all  right.    What  have  you  been  about,  boy  P  " 

"  Carrying  out  your  orders,  lieutenant,"  continued  he,  approaching.  "  Aifter 
lending  the  Foxface  a  hand  to  bandage  up  Lottery  Paul,  I  pr^ended  to  forget 
the  camphorated  spirits,  as  you  instructed  me."  <    ' 

•'  Good  boy  I  what  next  r' 

"  I  laid  by  to  see  what  they  would  do.  Just  as  tou  foresaw,  HeutentOit, 
Foxface  took  up  the  keg,  which  was  still  pretty  nigh  full,  and  laughingly  showed 
it  to  the  Frenchman.  The  next  thing  was,  they  swilled  at  it,  turn  and  turn 
about,  making  fun  of  me," 

"How  has  it  ended?" 

^•The  keg  is  ended,  lieutenant,  that's  a  sure  fact,  and  both  the  scoundrels  »re 
dead  drunk,  not  even  snoring." 

"  Good ;  they  are  on  the  shelf.     How  about  the  others  ?" 

"  All  &re  sleeping.  There  is  nobody  afoot  but  yOu  and  me,  and  the  captain, 
I  reckon." 

"  Are  you  sure?*    '''   - 

"  Quite ;  the  sentinels  are  sawing  gourds  in  the  Land  of  Nod  too." 

"  Very  nice.     You  know  what  you  are  to  do  ?  " 

"I  do,  lieutenant." 

"  Then  get  about  it,  my  lad,  and  bear  in  mind  that.  In  strictly  following  my 
instructions,  you  are  working  for  your  good  and  youi  freedom." 

"  I  know  that,  lieutenant,  and  so  you  may  rely  on  me  doiag  tajHiiag  J^ 
direct." 

"  I  know  that  too  I  Good,  good— 'tis  time.  Yoa  will  see  me  «»re  losf  , 
Leon." 

The  Drudge  went  his  way  without  farther  observations.  *    1: 

"  Now  I  am  left  to  myself,"  remarked  Joe,  sliding  his  bowle-knifti  fti^ltB 
sheath  and  feeling  that  bis  revolvers  were  capped.  "  I  shall  never  get  such 
another  <  iiance  toshinv.  '^r  be  snuffed  out.     If  t  do  not  succeed  in  finding  out 

some  certainty  to  work  upon,  why,  I'll No,  no,  *  it'll  never  do  to  gib  it  up 

so,  Mr.  Brown  I '"   he  concluded,   humming  a  nigger  minstrel  song,  wUch 
teaches  the  very  American  moral  of  Never  Despair. 

He  took  a  full  "  square  "  look  at  tfee  eternaj  lamp  In  the  captain's  d#e]iSng, 
bu^,  instead  of  crossing  the  ramp  towards  it,  he  turned  away  and  skirted  the 
locks.  As  soon  as  he  reached  a  thorny  bush  rather  thick,  he  parted  the  twigs 
at  the  risk  of  tearing  his  hands,  and  slipped  into  the  very  centre,  aa  if,  like  the 
fools  in  the  nursery  jingle,  he  meant  to  scratch  out  his  eyes. 

'As  one  sometimes  finds  among  those  old  natives  of  the  South-West,  who  sit 
up  all  night  at  the  gambling  table,  loe  was  a  true  nocfamlmlist :  he  had  the 
wild  beasts'  gift  to  see  at  night.  Otherwise,  it  were  difficult  to  explain  the 
unerring  step  with  which  he  progressed  through  the  dusk<  Probably  he  had 
clearly  traced  in  his  mind  the  line  he  was  foltowing. 


The  Best  Wav  to  Learn  is  to  Look  and  Zislen, 


83 


fiaog  ♦hioa;  to  "the 
«  ba««d  himself  out 
W  i»i»  blushes  in  his 

king,  left  his  ambu»h 

5  the  whimpered  w^y 

?'* 

Binproachiiie.    "  Aftet 

I  pretended  to  forget 

a  foresaw,  lieutenflti, 
and  laughingly  showed 
i  »t  it,  turn  and  turn 

both  the  icoundnls  ife 

d  me,  and  the  captaini 


of  Nod  too." 

in  strictly  following  my 

eedona." 

me  doing  aaythlagyoB 

,  will  see  me  «e  loug, 

T  his  bowie-knife  !ft  fta 
'•  1  shall  never  get  snch 
t  succeed  in  finding  out 
til  never  do  to  gib  it  up 
er  tniastecl  song,  wWcu 

B  «he  captain's  d*«r.5ng. 
ed  away  and  skirted  the 
lick,  he  parted  the  twigs 
ery  centre,  aa  If,  lil»  the 

'  thrSouth.W«rt,  who  ^t 
toeftmbulist:  he  had  the 
B  difficult  to  expWn  the 
.  .lusk.    ProbablY  be  had 


CHAPTER  XXL 


THE  BS8T  WAY  TO  LEAKN   IS  TO  LOOK  AKD  LISTSN. 

After  gliding  through  the  tborobrake,  Joe  lowered  himself  to  the  very  ground. 
Fairly  cweping,  he  seemed  at  a  loss,  clever  as  he  had  fhown  himself.  But, 
;.ft jr  thrice  scrutinising  the  grouiad,  he  saw  something  dully  gleaming.  He 
crawled  up  to  it.  It  was  a  piece  of  tinfoil,  such  as  is  used  for  enveloping 
chewing  tobacco.  It  was  roughly  shaped  into  the  form  of  a  dart,  the  head 
pointing  in  the  direction  which  he  immediately  took.  It  led  him  to  anothef 
thorny  bush,  gpiarding  an  airhole  about  a  yard  square,  almost  impossible  to 
discover  even  close  by  in  broad  day. 

Joe  knev  that  the  guide  had  laid  the  indicator  theri,  and  with  Joy  and  con- 
fidence he  dived  into  this  kind  of  wild  animals'  burrow.  It  was  a  dry  water 
course,  a  natural  culvert,  ©r  drain,  six  feet  wide  in  the  best  parts,  and  sonietimes 
twelve  high,  ragged  with  worn  rock,  but  also  floored  most  smoothly  with  the' 
finest  yellow  sand.  Spite  of  his  haste,  he  could  not  help  carrying  a  pinch — 
spread  out  artistically  on  his  palm — to  his  mouth ;  he  tasted  it  for  metallic 
traces,  and  grinned  as  he  murmured,  "  Copper,  I  guess  j  silver,  dead  sure  j  and 
some  gold.    These  rocks  would  pay  blasting  up  some  day." 

But  he  was  not  after  gold  this  time.  So  far  the  sand  had  glowed  faintly 
orange  from  an  unknown  light.     But  soon  the  tunnel  grew  perfectly  lightleas. 

"  Whew !  "  muttered  the  Carcaiieu,  smiling,  "  in  this  place  the  King  of 
Shades  himself  would  stub  his  tost" 

As  he  pushed  on  he  -Tiployed  the  minutest  care  not  to  make  even  thA 
faintest  noise  that  could  betray  hrm. 

Ten  minutes  seemed  an  interminable  period  thus.  Only  then,  though,  did  a 
luminous  streaking  show  that  he  had  actually  arrived  under  the  captain's  tent. 

He  stopped,  So  anxious  that  he  quivered  convulsively.  He  was  ashamed  at 
himself  for  being  so  unstrung.  He  breathed  long  and  regularly  till  he  had 
calmed  himself,  and  being  confident,  he  '■xamined  the  rocky  Side  of  his  con- 
cealment as  far  up  as  possible.  There  le  many  fissures,  but  few  went  clean 
through  straight.  Two  or  three  gave  him  views  of  the  tent  interior,  useless  to 
him.  One,  however,  about  four  or  five  feet  up,  offered  a  capital  spyhole.  He 
applied  his  eye  and  ^zed  in.  Almost  at  once  he  drew  himself  violently  back 
in  surprise,  and  a  grin  of  delight  hard  to  depict.  He  turned  pp'e,  and  krfp 
beads  of  perspiration  formed  on  his  brow  and  slowly  trickled  down. 

" Good  heavens t "  Ho  thought  to  himself,  "can  it  be  P  I  must  have  seen 
awry  I "  But,  having  another  peep,  he  murmured,  "  It's  the  wan,  and  no 
mist«4ie  1  Doubt  is  not  allowable  He  Is  not  in  the  grave,  then.  Hang  mo  I " 
he  went  on,  clenching  his  fists  mechanically,  "  but  the  devil  will  have  to  take 
you,  or  this  time  I  shall.  'Tis  he,  the  outiiw,  the  villain  who  robbed  the  miners. 
Oh,  you  wretch  I  are  you  still  in  this  world  ?  But  I  have  your  inmost  secret 
now,  and  you  may  well  tremble  I  This  is  a  wide  desert,  old  Iwy,  but  on  three 
sides  there  are  railroads  now;  law  officers  and  courts  of  justice  on  aU  four. 
You  arc  a  ^ner,  this  trip,  Mr,  Hariy  Brown  ! " 

After  having  thus  given  vent  to  anger  and  indignation  long  contained,  Cot4^ 
Joe  felt  calmness  rettira  to  his  mind.    He  wiped  h  .4  foreluwd  dry,  smoothM 


bis  fefftttre",  anl,  this  tione,  it  was  the  serene,  steady  e;e  as  of  an  astronomer 
that  he  set  to  the  gap. 

As  far  as  appearances  went,  there  was  nothing  to  justify  the  strange  wrath 
which  blazed  up  in.  the  false  lieutenant.  'f]\e  tent  and  cavern  formed 
half  a  circle,  which,  if  completed,  would  have  spanned  over  twenty  yard«  from 
the  apex  to  the  base.  An  iron  folding  bedstead,  on  which  w?.s  a  flock  mattrcxi, 
and  a  quantity  of  buffalo  robes  and  other  furs,  was  set  up  at  the  back,  trui  kn 
being  piled  near  it.  On  a  folding  table  in  the  centre,  between  «  battle-lan'cn 
and  a  candle  in  a  tin  dish,  a  travelling-case  was  opened,  more  filled  with  papers 
than  shaving  utensils  and  toilet  implements.  It  was  supplied  wiih  secret 
pockets  and  false  bottom,  sotha^,  though  the  captain  always  carried  it  on  his 
horse  and  kept  it  by  him,  Joe  had  never  suspected  it  was  a  receptacle  for 
documentt. 

There  was  no  doubt  that  so  much  care  was  (m\j  expended  on  proofs  against 
the  villain  whoso  identity  with  a  formec  aad  crimiual  saU  Joe  could  hereby 
Mtablish. 

On  the  table  lay  writing  materials.  By  means  of  thMe  a  man,  seated  on  a 
campstool,  was  "  n^aking  notes."  ^:ot  the  harmless  memos  of  business,  or 
private  details,  but  with  a  sureness  of  hand  and  dexterity  in  every  finger  th»t 
proved  an  experienced  forger  was  here ;  the  writer  was  imitating  notes  »£  hand 
such  as  the  army  officers  get  discount<v{  by  the  Indian  traders  in  anticipation 
of  their  salary.  This  man  in  no  wise  resembled  Captain  Kidd  save  in  stature, 
and  even  in  that  point  there  was  a  difference,  as  being  slighter — he  seemed 
more  tall.  It  was  hard  to  te'l  his  exact  age,  as  in  the  case  of  actors  who  are 
clean  shaven,  he  being  so,  and  all  white  or  grey  hairs  scrupulously  extracted. 
Most  beholders  would  have  set  him  down  as  thirty,  but  he  might  still  be  ten 
years  older.  His  face  was  oval,  with  a  broad  forehead,  but  pressed  in  at  the 
temples.  His  hair,  ot  that  blueish  bliick  suggesting  dye,  roii«d  in  ample  curU 
down  upon  his  shoulders,  enframing  handsome  lineaments.  Under  thick  brow*, 
large,  widely  opened  eyes  were  continually  in  movement,  the  pupils  having 
that  '>ower  of  deepening  or  lightening  in  shade  as  emotions  affected  the  owner ; 
oftet.  they  were  veiled  almost  entirely,  and  then  again  tiiey  shot  out  lightning 
glances  of  unwonted  magnetical  force.  His  nose  was  saaight,  and  yet  a  little 
4»c.-ved  at  the  tip,  with  tremulous  nostrils.  Tho  ruddy,  sensu..!  mouth  -.vas 
»T«T-large,  with  sound  testh.  The  cheek-bones  stood  out  a  trifle,  and  there 
was  the  cleft  of  a  wound,  o  -,  perhaps,  a  congenital  hare  split  on  the  square  chin. 

As  the  aesthetic  rule  runs  out  West,  this  was  a  hanasome  man.  But  after 
even  only  a  few  minuses'  view,  one  would  shrirk  with  ter/or,  there  was  such  a 
stamp  of  tigerish  ferocity  in  the  deep  fine  wrinkles  of  the  bsow,  the  restlessne^i 
of  the  gajce,  the  flutter  of  the  nostrils,  as  though  scenting  carnage,  and  'he 
cruelly  mocking  smile  playing  oa  the  lips. 

His  face  was  clean  shaven,  we  say — "shaved  under"  for  a  week,  as  bart)>ers 
word  it,  so  that  every  line  and  trait  could  be  traced,  and  by  them,  by  the  olive 
complexion,  and  by  the  contour,  the  name  of  Harry  Brown,  much  too  Anglo- 
Saxon,  applied  by  Corky  Joe,  seemed  vtiry  unbefitting.  He  was  rather  of 
Mexican-Spanish  and  Indian  race. 

Whatever  he  was,  and  whatever  joe  had  mentioned  in  relation  to  him,  this 
was  no  vulgar  rogue.  He  still  was  an  enigma  whose  veil  was  not  entirely 
•tripped  away  because  one  of  his  alituet  was  known. 

Several  minutes  passed  during  which  the  forger  went  on  with  his  work,  which 
seemed  mere  amus>  inent,  with  all  the  tranquillity  of  a  nobleman  in  his  study, 
well  aware  that  nobody  durst  disturb  him.  It  would  have  been  difficult  for  his 
retreat  to  have  been  intruded  upon  without  bis  ieave,  so  well  cl<»)ed  in  was  it. 


The  J3esl  1$^ay  to  Learn  ii  to  Iax^  mtd  Littm. 


85 


as  of  an  astr»ni>jncr 

ify  the  strange  wrath 
and  cavern  formed 
rer  twenty  yard*  from 
1  w?J  a  flock  mattrcR", 
>  at  the  back,  tru.ks 
ween  a  battle-Ian' en 
nore  filled  with  papers 
lupplied  wiih  secret 
irays  carried  it  on  his 
was  a  receptacle  fur 

dcd  on  proofs  against 
mU  Joe  could  hereby 

le  a  man,  seated  on  a 
nemos  of  business,  or 
ty  in  every  finger  th;it 
mitating  notes  oi  hand 
traders  in  anticipation 
n  Kidd  save  in  stature, 
,g  slighter— he  seemed 
case  of  actors  who  are 
scrupulously  extracted. 
t  he  might  still  be  ten 
I,  but  pressed  in  at  tite 
e,  rolled  in  ample  curli 
its.    Under  thick  hrow«, 
lent,  the  pupils  having 
ions  affected  the  owner ; 
they  shot  out  lightning 
laaight,  and  yet  a  little 
dy,  sensuJ  mouth  -vas 
i  out  a  trifle,  and  there 
split  on  the  square  chin, 
ndsome  man.    But  after 
ten  or,  there  was  such  a 
he  biuw,  the  restless«»e^s 
BBting  carnage,  and  t^e 

r "  for  a  week,  as  barbers 
nd  by  them,  by  the  olive 
Brown,  much  too  Anglo- 
ing.    He  was  rather  of 

in  relation  to  him,  this 
>se  veil  was  not  entirely 

t  on  with  his  work,  wWch 
a  nobleman  in  his  study, 
have  been  difficult  for  his 
,  so  well  closed  in  wat  »t. 


Besides,  he  had  a  brace  of  rtvolvers  near  to  jrlVea  lesson  to  any  Imjprudent 
person  who  presented  himself  unannounced.  Anally,  the  stranger  piisned  the 
papers  away  from  him,  laid  down  the  pen  more  carefully,  with  that  respect 
which  the  high-class  artisan  has  for  his  tools,  rested  his  elbow  on  the  table  and 
his  cheek  in  his  hand,  and  yielded  to  deep  meditation.  The  attentive  observer 
could  read  nothing  on  the  visage,  as  smoothly  cold  as  marble. 

Over  a  dozen  times  the  false  lieutenant '  t  tempted  to  "  settle"  this  man  by 
putting  a  bullet  into  his  brain,  an  easy  m..aer ;  but  e?ch  time  his  prompting 
was  checked  by  a  higher  force,  like  that  which  causes  a  police  officer  to  take 
bis  man  alive,  though  fhe  reward  is  the  name  for  the  body  in  any  condition. 

The  man  was  not  his  property.  He  belonged  to  society,  unto  which  he  would 
have  to  render  up  accounts  of  his  crimes ;  society  alone  had  a  right  to  Wy  him 
and  make  an  example  of  him. 

For  all  but  a  quarter  of  an  hour  the  musing  man  dwelt  motionlessly  staring 
into  vacancy.  It  was  a  mute  dialogue  with  himself.  At  the  end  he  flung  up 
his  head  sharply,  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  stalked  to  and  fro  in  the  narrow  walk, 
his  hands  behind  his  back,  and  his  head  hanging.  When  be  stopped,  he  was  at 
the  table  anew.  He  actively  busied  himself  in  packing  up  the  notes  and  papers 
in  the  toilet-case,  closed  it  with  a  secret  spring,  and  put  it  under  his  pillow. 

Like  men  who  have  no  confidants,  he  talkra  in  a  low  voice  to  himself  whilst 
so  occupied.  It  wa»  rather  mumbling  than  even  muttering;  but  Lieutenant 
Carcajieu's  "  good  day  for  hearing  "  was  come.  He  overheard  prettv  well  all. 
Two  singular  things  :  not  only  did  the  voice  differ  from  Captain  Kidd's  in  tone 
and  accents,  but  the  man,  thought  to  be  English,  spoke  fluent  Spanish. 

"  Curay  /  "  he  exclaimed,  "  that  infernal  Corky  Joe  was  lucky  this  time ;  It  is 
long  since  I  have  had  a  solid  house  where  I  could  feel  comfortable  and,  mainly, 
safe.  This  confounded  dibguise  began  to  choke  me  like  a  corset  on  the  Fat 
Woman  in  the  Show  ;  Richard  actually  yearned  to  be  himself  again  I  By  St. 
Antonio  I  what  a  jolly  thii^  it  is  not  to  have  to  play  a  part.  Even  for  an  hour 
it  is  a  luxury  to  be  able  to  stretch  one's  legs  mentally  and  bodily.  But,  pshaw  I 
still  a  few  more  days  and  we  shall  be  at  ease  if  this  providential  guide  is  to  be 
depended  on  1  He's  a  capital  blade,  a  little  blunt,  like  all  English,  quaint, 
novel,  but  the  right  stuff.     I  can't  tell  why,  but  I  feel  warm  toward*  him.'* 

The  lieutenant  could  not  help  smiling  at  this  confession. 

"  Besides,  he  saved  mv  life,"  went  on  the  other, "  there's  somethioK  in  that. 
It  is  true  that  if  he  had  kno  •r  who  i  was,  he  would  hava  let  the  tears  chew 
me  up,  more  than  likely.  UVh  i  it  gives  iBe  creeping  all  over  again  to 
remember  that  fix.  However,  iwas  saved  to  live  many  a  day  yet  in  and  out  of 
the  cover  of  Cap^'in  Kidd.  Kidd  I  ha,  ha  I  there's  one  who  never  suspected 
he  would  be  useful  after  his  death,  when  our  partnership  was  suddenly  cleft 
a.<)und«r  by  an  insertion  of  my  k:  e  in  his  jugular  as  he  was  sleeping  with 
liquor.  But  what's  the  sense  of  bringing  his  memory  up  ?  He's  out  of  the 
battle  of  life ;  the  secret  is  buried  out  of  mortal  ken." 

As  he  spoke  he  performed  his  metamorphosis,  the  arraying  himself  in  the 
?heil,  so  to  say,  of  Captain  Kidd.  He  dressed  and  "  made  up  "  «>  artistically, 
that  Joe  himself,  who  was  no  mean  actor,  could  not  help  admiring. 

The  disguise  was  complete,  nothing  being  omitted  to  aid  illusion.  The 
transformation  was  executed  quickly  too. 

"  A  rainy  night,  ugh ! "  muttered  the  re-become  Captain  ([idd.  "  But 
prudence  is  the  mother  of  security,  at:  J  you  don't  catch  me  lying  dovn  without 
going  the  rounds  of  my  camp !  " 

As  the  speaker  began  to  brpa;;  down  the  rampart  which  fended  the  dof^rwdy, 
the  iieuieiiuiit  abandoned  bis  peephole.     He  crawled  back  as  he  had  come. 


i6 


Tht!  M^  Rkp-  Half-Smd. 


slipped  forth  from  the  openinfTi  made  his  painful  way  throuc;h  the  tho;nbr.'k« 
and  came  out  into  the  clear  ground.  Convincinj/  him'elf  that  .lobody  wag  on 
the  look-ouc  for  him,  he  went  over  to  the  tent  of  Donna  Rosar'o,  Leon's  blanicet 
was  in  a  heap  by  the  door.  He  wrapped  it  around  him,  leaving  his  pistol  arm 
free,  like  a  Highlander  in  his  plaid,  and  lay  down,  feigning  to  sleep. 

He  had  not  been  thus  placed  ten  minutes  before  the  tent  doorway  f!ap  was 
lifted,  and  outstepped  the  captain  with  the  bottle  lantern. 

The  latter  went  the  rounds  conscientiously,  rousing  more  than  one  drowsy 
sentinel  with  a  swing  of  the  lantern  or  a  boot  smartly  applied.  As  the  men 
ffTowled  he  chuckled,  and  so  worked  himself  up  into  a  good  humour 
like  a  bull-dog  who  had  had  several  successful  scuffles.  His  promenade  brought 
him  round  to  Rosario's  tent,  but  just  as  he  wis  drawing  back  his  leg  to  awaken 
the  presumedly  sleeping  figure,  there  was  the  ku-klux  of  a  large  revolver  going 
on  full  cock,  and,  w''V">ut  taking  the  trouble  to  rise,  Joe  challenged  : 

"  No  tricks  on  travuileis.  Who  are  you  with  a  light,  and  so  free  with  your 
bootf" 

"  A  friend,  a  friend  I  Hold  hard,"  the  leader  hastened  to  cry.  ''  Here  is  oae 
who  keeps  a  good  guard." 

"  The  chiefl  "  ejaculated  the  other,  pretending  surprise. 

"  You  bet.  And,"  here  he  lowered  the  lantern  over  the  man,  sitting  up 
nonchalantly,  but  with  the  revolver  ready,  "it's  Corky  Joe." 

"  Same  man,  cap." 

"  But  how  do  I  find  you  here  when  Foxfaca  wi*s  set  o»er  this  tent  t " 

"  Oh,  that's  all  right,  chief.    ' Want  to  kn.  •■  ?  " 

"  Go  on,  I'm  listening." 

*'  Why,  that  young  ass,  the  Drudge,  sent  to  give  Lotteiy  Paul  a  rob  down 
*lth  tl.e  camphorated  spirits,  as  you  prescribed " 


«•  Quite  right,  I  did." 


he  forgot  the  keg." 

"  Then  I  understand  the  rest,"  returned  the  gold-seeker,  l?nghing,  "  Foxface 
naught  the  Frenchman's  complaint,  and  both  took  the  remedy  internally?" 

"You've  hit  it,  old  man,  they  never  left  what  would  wet  a  fly's  eya  in  the 
htf,  the  conseouences  are,  that  they  are  drunk  as  David's  sow,  and  snoring 
away.  Bijt  as  I  knew  you  wanted  this  tor.t  well  looked  after,  women  being  fine 
aa  needles,  i  u>k,~  up  my  station  rtere  *ill  relief  comes." 

"  You  are  a  trump,  Joe,  and  did  the  proper  thing.  I  am  sorry  it  is  so  Warned 
cold  and  damp— I  am  frozen  like  a  snow  wolf  myself,  and  have  a  fit  of  sleep  oji 
roe.  Try  to  keep  your  eyes  open  till  you  are  relieved,  and  with  tlat  good 
teight,  lieutenant." 

"  Oh,  I  am  not  sleepy  now,  boss.  Out  in  the  open  I  git  wide  awake.  Rest 
ea^y,  any  way,"  he  said,  dropping  down  again  in  that  favourite  attitude  r'.  the 
veteran  frontiersman,  who  knows  that  the  prowling  Indian  M\  scare./  resist 
the  temptation  to  shoot  an  arrow  at  the  sentry  who  U  visible  upright. 

Kidd  went  into  his  tent,  and  the  light  was  put  out  there.  This  marking,  the 
lieutenant  rose  a  little  and  whistled  p^rt  of  a  tune  in  a  low  tone.  The  Drudge 
crawled  up  to  him  around  the  lady's  tent,  finishing  the  air. 

"Take  my  place  here  in  your  own  blanket,  and  let  me  have  the  signal  if 
a  .ything  new  happens." 

So  saying,  the  lieutenant  vanished  within  the  tent  of  Donna  Rosario. 


87 


t)uRli  the  thojubrrlw 
f  that  aobody  was  on 
lar'-g,  Leon's  blanket 
leaving  his  pistol  arm 
ig  to  sleep, 
eat  doorway  flap  was 

lore  than  one  drowsy 
applied.  As  the  men 
into  a  good  humour 
[is  promenade  brought 
back  his  leg  to  awaken 
a  large  revolver  going 
challenged ; 
,  and  so  tree  with  your 

1  to  cry.    "  Here  ii  oae 


er  the  man,  sitting  up 

[oe." 

ver  this  tent »" 


Lottery  Paul  a  nxb  down 


Iter,  !?'ig'hing,  "  Foxface 
emedy  internally  F" 
I  wet  a  fly's  eye  in  the 
David's  sow,  and  snoring 
after,  women  being  fine 

am  sorry  it  is  so  Warned 
and  have  a  fit  of  sleep  on 
ed,  and  with  tlat  good 

.  I  git  wide  awake.    Rest 

t  favourite  attitude  r'.  the 
r  Indian  *ill  scarce  resist 
'visible  upright, 
here.  This  marking,  the 
aiowtone.  The  Drudge 
e  air.  .  .^ 

let  me  have  the  signal  il 

>f  Donna  Rosario. 


CHAPTER   XXII. 

till  lATB  Vnnott  TO  TRB  LADItt. 

ILK  Lieutenant  Joe  was  so  boldly  spying  upon  j.is  superior  and  maatftu^ 
to  get  a  look  at  him,  notwithstanding  his  precautions  to  preserve  his  incognito, 
there  were  other  important  events  happening  in  and  about  Donna  Rosario'a 
tent  full  worthy  of  recoid. 

Aftisr  Captain  Kidd  left  them  the  prisoner  had  held  a  long  conversation  with 
her  fellow-captive  Ulla.  They  arranged  that  the  latter  should  not  for  once  go 
and  bo  coafineu  for  the  night  with  the  late  prizes  of  the  Half-breeds,  but  keap 
with  the  Southerner,  whether  the  captiiin  approved  or  not. 

Rosario  was  a  great  deal  more  agitated  than  '  He  Scotch  girl,  though  it  was  a 
question  of  receiving  a.  call  from  Ranald  Dearborn. 

They  were  both  ignorant  ,-it  what  hour  he  would  come,  and  whether  be  could 
get  back  into  xhe  encampment  secretly.  But  aa  it  was  a  promiae,  Ulla  assured 
her  friend  that  he  would  not  be  easily  impeded. 

With  the  help  of  Lton,  the  girls  lined  the  tent  with  rugs,  furs,  and  mats,  so 
that  the  doubly  thickening  the  wall  not  only  increased  the  warmth,  which  was 
no  inconvenience,  but  prevented  the  le;ut  ray  of  light  filtering.  This  would 
have  betrayed  that  Rosario  was  awake,  and  not  asleep,  for  the  camp  curlew  was 
set  at  ten  o'clock  at  the  farthest.  That  was  one  of  the  points  Kida  nuuia  when 
he  went  round  before  going  to  sleep  himself. 

The  silver  hanging-lamp  was  mufBed  in  g.^ize  round  its  reflecting  shade  so  as 
to  diminish  the  gleam,  the  while  it  added  a  mysterious  gresn  tint  to  the  soft 
twilight.  Very  little  more  than  a  pleasant  glow  arose  from  the  bra2ierj  rrhich 
burnt  pine  knots,  difoising  an  agreeable  odour. 

At  length  drudge  was  sent  away.  The  two  girls  sat  on  cushions,  like  the 
beauties  of  the  harem,  too  anxious  to  chat  to  pass  the  tima  away,  and  glancing 
ever  and  anon  at  a  French  clock  on  a  stand. 

On  this  evening,  as  we  know.  Captain  i'lidd  received  the  sentries  and  ierreted 
about,  but  he  came  across  ;-one  breaking  bis  orders.  Dor.nii  Popario's  habita- 
tion,  along  with  the  rest,  appeared  to  be  plunged  in  utter  darkness. 

As  no  doubt  his  captive  reposed,  the  leader  rubbf;d  his  hands  gladly,  and 
went  to  shut  himself  in  his  tent,  so  that  Old  Nick  could  not  get  at  him,  as  the 
men  playfully  said.  . 

We  Hiow  by  the  foregoini;  chapter  how  the  %,arcaji«n>  had  made  a  mock  of 
his  contrivances. 

Afer  quitting  the  lieutenant,  Drodge,  with  the  passive  obedience  he  showed, 
and  the  cunning  he  well  concealed  under  seeming  stupidity,  began  carryiag  out 
the  or-ler  received. 

It  was  then  about  half  after  ten. 

It  was  a  black  night,  the  fine  rain  never  ceased  to  tall,  and,  whisked  under 
the  natural  vault  by  a  rising  wind,  appeared  to  come  from  all  quarters  at  once. 
There  was  no  evading  it ;  but  Leon  seemed  quite  heedless,  though  it  must 
have  pierced  his  insumcient  garments.  He  stole  away  like  an  eel  along  the 
rocky  edge,  crossing  the  whole  cantp  longwise  till  he  attained  the  spot  where 
the  platform  ende^l  d  the  cliff  formed  an  unfathomable  gulf  where  darkness 
deepened*  He  sto  short,  and  looked  well  about  him  to  make  sura  h«  was 
aioiHb 


-■•finr-  -iiw 


S8 


Tha  K'd  Rlifer  Haff-Breed. 


i 


Whether  alone  or  no^  neither  he  nor  another  coold  9e«  any  cb]eet  fiidugh  at 
touching  distAnce.  Reasoning  that  any  watcher  would,  therefore,  be  {>erplexed 
to  perceive  him,  the  youth  swiftly  unwound  a  leather  rrpe  from  about  his 
middle.  A  ciant  pine  leaned  out  f roa  the  precipice.  Tu  this  he  fastened  one 
end  of  the  lasso ;  coilincf  the  slack  up  clear  for  runningr  out  in  one  hand,  hs 
attached  the  loop  nrouna  a  good-oixtd  atoae  muffled  with  grass,  which  even 
frost  had  not  killed  in  a  cranny. 

He  leaned  over  the  ^If,  at>d  imitated  with  rant  peiiection  th«  Inquiring 
and  rather  mockingly  intoned  iiits  of  the  whip-tnake  culling  for  a  mate.  Anv 
listener  would  h»v<  iaiaginod  that  th«  reptile  Don  jiian,  drowned  out  of  his 
hole  by  the  icv  rain,  was  seeking  with  equal  relish  to  taunt  a  rival  or  a  lady- 
love to  Imive  Its  burrow  and  respond  to  his  challenge  or  advancus.-  After 
having  r«p<tater!  this  call  sevfJai  times,  but  without  impatience,  a  similar 
answer  caim;  from  below-^short,  sharp,  shrill,  angry,  as  if  the  rival  snake  was 
aroused  and  climbed  up  for  a  fight. 

Most  of  the  sentries  were  iuleep,  we  know ;  and  the  others,  whether  ex- 
perienced woodmen  or  not,  wonid  pay  no  atteation  to  what  seamed  an  ordinary 
incident  of  the  night. 

On  receiving  his  reply,  though,  the  youth  flung  the  stone  and  eoils  otit  from 
him.  SoCtened  by  the  grassy  matting,  the  stone  could  not  be  heard  to  land  ; 
but  the  snake  hissed  afresh,  and  the  lariat  was  drawn  taut. 

The  Trudge  exhaled  a  long  breath,  as  one  delivered  from  mortal  angtitsh. 

In  fact,  it  had  not  baen  sn  easy  task  in  the  perfect  gloom,  and  guided  by 
sound  alone  in  a  damp  atmosphere,  to  swing  a  weighted  cord  to  th<i  very  hand 
of  a  man  expecting  it.  If,  instead  of  his  catching  it,  it  had  struck  him  in  the 
f-tce,  he  must  have  been  full  of  fortitttde  not  to  have  cried  oat.  Bat  chance 
had  favoured  the  platters. 

Very  soon,  indeed,  a  figure  loomed  up,  pulling  the  cord  ss  well  as  clambering 
daringly  up  the  cliS  face,  and  with  joyfuloess  leaped  over  the  edge  on  solid 
ground. 

"  Thanhs,  vttj  boy  I"  he  mtrtt«red. 

'*  Thank  our  Father  abovs,  Mr.  Dea]4><»n»<-it  is  He  who  did  It  all !"  re- 
sponded the  youth, 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  yott  have  said  the  proper  thing.  It  mnkes  a  fellow 
retigioasly  inclined  to  be  in  such  straits  and  miraculously  pulled  through 
tltero.  Lead  on,  Leon,  it  i::  kite — but  fira«>let  us  undo  the  lasso,  and  ttfface  the 
marks  of  iny  ooming  up  and  over." 

"  Are  you  not  going  back  this  way  f 

*'  Dear,  no ;  much  obliged.  In  that  little  climb  I  nearly  broke  my  neck 
a  hundred  times,  aho:t  measure  t  Besides,  it  is  not  the  getting  out  of  the  camp 
that  will  worry  me.  Make  haste — the  young  ladies  must  be  just  dying  from 
uneasinesEi." 

Drudge  unloosed  thr  lasso  and  coiled  it  round  him  in  a  few  minutes. 

"  Ready,  sir  ?"  he  said. 

"  Show  me  the  way.     I  am  not  able  to  get  aboat— I  cannot  see  at  all.' 

"  You  need  not  fear,  I  know  th*  road  very  well  by  this  time." 

"  Where  is  Joe  ?" 

•'  Don't  know— want  to  see  him  ?" 

"  Well,  I  should  like  to  speak  with  him." 

"  Quien  inht  .'• — who  knows  but  we  may  run  up  against  him 

"  Rather  ngninst  him  than  a  stranper.     I  feel  like  a  hovtsebreaker  somehow 
I  suppose  it  is  the  night  timr,  for  our  mo<ivc  is  good — tvtn  holv  !  " 

"  Come  along.    Take  the  bend  of  the  lasso,  and  not  a  sound  i  " 


Tkt  Late  Vtiitor  In  the  Ladies. 


89 


St  any  object  tliaagh  at 
therefore,  be  perple«a 
r  rrpe  from  about  his 
Fo  this  he  fastened  one 
jg  out  in  one  h»nd,  ha 
mh  grass,  which  even 

etfection  the  Inquiring 
ailing  for  n  malf.  An/ 
an,  drowned  out  of  his 
1  taunt  a  rival  or  a  lady- 
ge  of  advanctss.-  Af'er 
impatience,  a  similar 
m  if  the  rival  snake  was 

the  others,  whether  ex- 
rhat  seemed  an  ordinary 

stone  and  toils  out  from 
lid  not  be  heard  to  land ; 
aut. 

from  mortal  angntsh. 
:t  gloom,  and  guided  by 
■ed  cord  to  th«  very  hand 
it  had  struck  him  in  the 
>  cried  oat.    But  chance 

ord  ea  well  as  clarnbering 
1  over  the  edge  oa  solid 


He  who  did  it  all!"  re- 

hing.  It  w:^kti  a  Wlow 
dculously  pulled  through 
lo  the  lasso,  and  efface  the 

1  neariy  broke  my  neck 
he  getting  out  of  the  camp 
s  must  be  just  dying  faom 

in  a  few  minutes. 

-1  cannot  see  at  all.' 
tliis  time." 


alnstWm?"  . 

a  housebreaker  somehow ; 
1— evm  holv ! ',' 
»ot  a  sound  i " 


^1 


" !  am  as  mute  as  a  statue."  , 

Leon  led  the  Englishman  by  the  bop  In  the  same  direction  he  had  taken  to 
come.  Dearborn  stared  aad  listened,  but  seemed  to  be  th«  blmd  man  in  the 
game  for  all  he  perceived.  On  the  other  hand,  the  Drudge  knew  his  path 
instinctively.  In  daylight  he  could  hardly  have  sfone  more  straight.  After  the 
still  blundeiii'g  march  had  continued  some  lea  minutes,  the  leader  halted. 

"  Here  «."e  are  1 "  he  whispered.  ' 

"  Near  the  ladies'  tent  P  "  inquired  the  other. 

"  Withia  a  step  or  two  of  Donna  Roswio's  tent  i  yes.  Wow,  tb«  rest  Is  year 
affair."  ' 

"  1  suppose  it  is.  But  dhat  can  I  do  ?  I  have  never  been  further  in  than  the 
<!;mng-room,  so  to  flatter  It.  If  !  stumble  over  anything  and  make  a  bq!s^ 
there  will  be  an  alarm,  and  all  will  be  spMlt." 

"  That's  true.  I  am  sorry  not  to  have  thought  of  your  having  other  eyti 
than  mine.    Follow  me  iitill,  therefore.!' 

'•  Good  again.  But,  haif'a*mii>ute,  my  boy— where  am  I  to  find  you  ia  case 
I  should  require  you  F  " 

"  Right  here,  sir,  whera  we  are  standing.  Must  I  not  keep  a  k>ok  out  for 
vour  retrrat  ?  " 

"  So  you  mutt.  Yen  are  right  every  time.  I  hardly  know  what  I  am  about 
m  saying  or  doing.  The  mere  thought  of  sp<«kiDg  with  the  yOung  lady  freely 
unhingrs  me  so  that  I— I  fluctuate  like  a  door  in  the  wind." 

''Be  a  roan,  sir;  remember  that  on  what  you  arrange  in  this  interview  is 
risted,  not  only  yowr  life,  of  which  I  do  not  know  the  value,  but  those  of  the 
two  young  ladies,  one  of  which  is  as  precious  to  me,  sir,  as  the  other,  I  daresay, 
to  you."  ' 

'•  V^  touch  my  very  heart,  boy  I— the  idea  terrifies  me  I  but  still  it  gives  me 
the  pluck  which  was  oosing  out  at  my  fingers'  ends.  I  feel  up  to  the  mark 
again.    Come  what  may,  I  .^hail  behave  like  a  man,  I  believe.    On  again." 

"  Come  «»>,  but,  mote  than  before,  siltntly  I     Hush,  hush  ! " 

They  penftrated  the  mariuee,  the  thick  curtain,  made  heavier  by  the  rain, 
falling  behind  them  with  a  dull  sound  so  sinister  as  to  make  them  shuddsr.  So 
does  a  pall  flap  on  the  bier  in  a  sepulchral  vault. 

For  over  hatf-an-hour  the  two  giris  had  not  exchanged  a  syllable.  The 
wkiu  and  strokes  of  th«r  ♦imo'piece  bestirred  them  at  last. 

"  Eleven,"  muttered  Doona  Rosario,  impatiently  and   mournfully.    "  Oh 
your  friend  will  never  come,"  * 

"  Stop,  stop ;  he  is  here  I "  ejaculated  UIU,  rising,  arrf  restraining  her  deep 
joy  from  lotid  expression. 

The  pretended  guide  stood  in  the  doorway,  holding  up  the  screen,  and  con. 
templating  the  two  lovely  creatures,  whose  fate  might  be  determined  by  his 
mission,  with  as  much  bve  f«-  one  as  pity  for  the  other.  After  his  Preat  ex- 
citemei  t  and  the  strain  on  his  nerven,  he  was  pale.  His  right  hand  came  round 
upon  his  heart  to  compres.s  its  throbbings  ;  but  his  eyes  flashed  brightly  with 
bravery,  and  his  manly  face  was  covered  with  gladness.  His  gaze  centred  on 
Miss  Maclan,  and  approaching  the  cushion  which  she  quitted,  he  seemed  about 
to  fall  on  bis  knees,  thankful  that  they  were  met  again.  Rosario  drew  herself 
away  into  the  coiner,  smiling  and  thoughtful  at  thw  knightly  reverence. 

"  I  am  afraid  this  captivity  is  chafing  upon  you,"  he  said,  clear-sighted  as  a 
lover  13  to  the  least  trace  of  sorrow  on  beloved  features. 

'l  ^l  ^  tnie,"^die  answered  softly,  "  but  my  misfortunes  have  but  begun, 
-hsn.rathcro.  what  this  poor  )oui)g  lady  must  have  endured  for  a  year,  all 
alone  in  misery  with  not  one  to  share  her  burden ;   friendless,  in  a  strange, 


90 


Tk4  R*d  Rimr  fh(f-Jiretd, 


dMoUta  nrion,  for  from  ^1  that  maku!)  living  tweet.  SheSiAs  to  believe  that 
ibe  is  absoiutelv  iKnored." 

"  No  more  than  you  has  <he  \fmn  foifotten,"  returned  Dearborn,  though 
wit:ii>ut  looking  away  from  the  person  he  addressed. 

"Alas,  sir,  this  bein^  true,"  observed  the  Spanish  girl  gently,  "at  least, 
grant  that  it  is  so  much  misfortune  that  makes  me  unjuit.  It  makes  anyone 
hard,  though  with  the  best  of  tempers.  I  daresay  I  am  wilful,  petulant.  Oh, 
I  am  I  and  all  that — but  luok  at  my  having  to  keep  up  the  struggle  ail  the  time 
with  misfortune.  And  I  am  only  a  girl  too — a  child,  they  say  in  the  Nortti, 
whose  early  years  were  passed  in  joyous,  happy  peace,  surrounded  by  dear 
schoolmates,  very  kind  to  me.  ^Vhen  the  storm  anexpectedly  burst  upon  me, 
1  felt  as  if  I  should  never  outlive  it." 

"  Don't  talk  so,  dear,"  cried  Miss  Maclan,  with  that  proneness  of  distressed 
females  to  forget  the  tangible  danger  in  order  to  condole  over  a  sentimental 
grievance,  which,  in  th':  rase,  simply  maddened  the  male  bystander.  "  Your 
sorrows  are  well  nigh  at  an  end,  I  feel  assured.  You  are  going  to  save  her, 
MB  you  not,  Mr.  Df  .trborn  ;  snd  I  love  you,  Rosie,  I  love  you  very  much." 

"  I  am  easier,'*  tfaid  the  Meaican  girl,  "  ever  since  this  gentleman  came  into 
the  camp ;  but  still,  you  rnust  not  be  too  oonfident  I  The  men  you  are  matched 
with  are  very  wicked  ones,  and  there  are  ever  so  many  of  them  too." 

"  Well,  my  friends  count  up  to  a  good  number.  I  have  not  started  on  this 
errand  without  knowing  what  may  be  my  support.  Our  friends  are  brave  and 
strong,  and  having  their  promise  to  help,  I  could  be  confident.  To  say  nothing 
of  the  remains  of  your  father's  company,  Miss  Macian,  there  is  one  man,  the 
leader  of  the  trappers — " 

"  You  mean  Mr.  Ridge,"  exclaimed  Rosario,  sharply. 

"  Yes ;  they  call  him  the  Yager  of  the  Yellowstone.    He's  an  American*-" 

"  That's  the  one  I     If  he  is  on  your  side,  you  need  aiot  much  fear." 

"  So  you  know  himf  " 

"  So  does  Ulla  there,  from  my  talking  to  her  about  him  as  a  devo^nd  friend 
of  my  family.  With  that  man  on  the  lookout  to  save  me,  togr'  with  his 
companion,  the  Cherokee,  Mr.  Williams,  I  do  look  up.  again  v,  vbe  hope 
that  I  shall  be  rescued  from  this  wretch,  the  Captain." 

"  Weil,  things  stand  thus.  Before  morning  1  expect  to  see  Ridge,  and  to 
concert  with  him  on  hurrying  on  the  time  for  the  removal  of  all  you  ladies 
from  this  camp." 

"  Heaven  hears  you  I  I  pmy  it  will  help  you." 

"  It  is  pa'isiblo  we  may  nnd  assistance  among  Kidd's  men  too." 

"  Have  a  care,  sir  I  all  I  have  seen  are  very  hangdog  fellows,"  and  Ulla 
shuddered. 

"  I  know  that.  Be  sure  that  I  shill  make  no  friends  without  the  greatest 
prudence.     I  only  trust,  too,  so  far  the  Captain's  right>hand  man." 

"  Oh,  you  mean  Joe  P  "  broke  in  Rosario,  joyfully. 

"  He  worked  this  round  so  that  we  are  in  communion.  He  suggested  my 
seeing  you  too.  I  do  not  know  how  he  managed  it,  but  he  has  levelled  off 
obstacles.  Besides,  he  brought  me  into  relations  with  a  young  fellow,  almost  a 
boy,  who  has  been  most  useful  to  me,  I  assure  you.  Without  his  helping  hand,  I 
could  not  have  gained  this  place." 

"  Ah  I  you  allude  to  poor  Drudge  now,"  said  the  two  girls,  with  the  same 
affectionate  pity. 

"  That's  the  boy.  But  allow  me  to  ask  you,  Donna,  if  you  haveiuid  a  long 
knowledge  of  them?" 

"  Ever  since  I  quitted  the  borders  in  charge  o£  these  hiffiam^** 


mi 


;h»{ifts  to  b«liev«  that 

ted  Dearborn,  tltoogh 

giri  gently,  "«t  least, 
nt.  It  makM  anyone 
wilful,  petulant.  Oh, 
le  struggle  all  the  time 
:hey  say  in  the  North, 
e,  surrounded  by  dear 
«ctedly  burst  upon  me, 

roneness  ol  distressed 
>le  over  a  sentimental 
ale  bystander.  "  Your 
re  going  to  tvn  bar, 
e  you  very  much." 
s  gentleman  came  into 
le  men  you  are  matched 
if  them  too." 
tve  not  started  on  this 
r  friends  are  brave  and 
fident.  To  say  nothing 
there  is  one  man,  the 


He's  an  American^" 
t  much  fear." 

lim  as  a  devo^ftd  friend 
>  me,  togf'  with  his 
ip.  again  w         he  hope 

rt  to  see  Ridge,  and  to 
moval  of  all  you  ladies 

men  too." 
jdog  fellows,"  and  Ulla 

ids  without  the  greatest 
hand  man." 

nion.  He  suggested  my 
,  but  he  has  levelled  off 
a  young  fellow,  almost  a 
ithout  his  helping  hand,  I 

two  girls,  with  th«  same 

I,  if  you  haveiiad  a  long 

efufiiata." 


Mt'Cah'^Piritmr  to  the  iLaSes. 


i* 


"  Wcli,  what  a  yoar  opinion  of  them  ;  yow  <»ld-drawn  Minion  of  them,  as 
they  sayr  you  will  readily  understand  that  1  am  too  much  of  a  strange*  to  this 
part  of  the  world,  and  such  queer  uncommon  peraoas  as  I  oMMt,  to  judge 
quickly." 

"  They  bewilder  me  too,"  added  Miss  Madan. 

"  They  both  have  done  me  great  services.  They  say  they  are  devoted  to  you, 
Donna  Rosario,  but  as  nothing  proves  to  me  yet  that  this  devotion  is  not 
auumed,  I  fear  to  be  cheated,  and  even  that  1  am  cheated  in  tnistin|;  them  so 
far.  Nothing  more  closely  resembles  a  good  servant  than  a  hypocritical  one, 
.tnd  between  ourselves,  1  must  own  tl.at  Corky  Joe  has  no  winning  countenance, 
better  ones  have  hung  a  man." 

The  girls  laughed,  Rosoiio  the  heartier. 

'  Poor  Toe  I "  she  exclaimed,  "  his  face  is  not  a  good  pauport,  but  he  Is  not 
to  bhme  tor  that." 

"  I  do  not  blame  him  tor  that,  certainly,"  returned  tha  Englishman,  ".and  I 
do  not  s.iy  that  is  sufficient  grounds  for  mistrusting  him." 

"  You  would  m.-ike  a  mist.ake  in  ihat  case,  Senyor  Dearborn,"  said  the 
Mexican,  becoming  serious.  "  He's  a  Cue  fellow,  and  I  placa  my  confidence  In 
him." 

"  W-at  do  yon  think,  Miss  Maclan  ?" 

"  1  agree  with  my  friend ;  she  has  the  proof  in  her  hands  that  the  Carcajleu 
stays  near  her  to  help  her  in  cose  of  dire  need." 

"  Yes,  but  how  and  why  f  Do  you  mean  to  say  ho  is  placed  near  yoo  by 
someone  ?  " 

"By  thnt  Mr.  Ridge,  perhaps  P"  suggested  Miss  Maclan. 

"  ITiat  may  be,"  answered  Rosario,  contemplatively. 

"  Ridge  is  an  extraordinary  man,"  said  Ranald,  thoughtful  himself.  «'  He 
has  a  wonderful  influence  over  the  white  trappers  and  hunters,  wild  Indians,  and 
these  Red  River  Half-brteds,  who  hate  the  Canadians  and  Ai)  aricans  alike,  and 
yet  respect  him.  They  tell  me  that  important  quarrels  have  been  decided  by 
his  plam  word,  and  never  any  murmuring  from  the  party  who  lost." 

"  Btrt  to  return  to  the  lieutenant,"  said  Ulla. 

"  Yes,"  took  up  her  friend,  "  of  his  true  faithfalness  I  have  ample  ei^dence. 
It  is  a  secret  which  I  have  promised  to  keep.  Please  do  not  doubt  him  any 
more." 

"  Here's  another  mystery !  They  talk  of  the  plain,  straight  men  of  the  wild 
frontier  life,  and,  on  the  contrary,  every  other  man  seems  to  be  a  hero-  of 
romance  or  of  the  Newgate  Calendar.  This  Joe  makes  me  uneasy,  like  the 
gentleman,  spruce,  trim,  quiet,  with  a  sharp  eye,  whom  one  sees  as  a  boy  about 
one's  father's  house,  and  whom'  one  imagines  fearfully  to  be  a  detective  to 
arrest  the  butler  for  stealing  spoons  ;  or  a  sheriffs  officer  to  arrest  papa,  and 
who  turns  out  to  be  a  picture  dealer  come  to  see  if  the  smoky  old  picture, 
so  long  oar  target  for  puff-balls,  in  the  library  is  a  geruine  Snyders  or  not. 
It  is  clear  for  me  that  your  lieutenant  wears  a  mask,  and  no  pretty  one 
either  1" 

"  Perhaps  the  better  to  suif  the  faces  around  us,  air,"  replied  Ulla,  forcing* 
laugh.  "  These  are  white  men's,  but,  really,  the  red  Indian's,  painted  for  war, 
is  not  more  intolerable  !" 

"  Dios  mio  !"  interjected  Rosario,  "  what's  the  odds !  Are  we  not  aJl  other 
than  what  we  saem  here  ?  Is  not  every  one  of  us  wearing  a  mask  from 
Captain  Kidd  down?" 

"  In  his  case,  it  has  slipped  aside  a  minute,"  broke  in  a  deep  Toicei 

The  girts  started  tisck  in  alarm. 


ya 


The  Rtd  m»er  HalJ-BrteH. 


F 


"  Vvliu'B  Aat  f  t;H«d  lUnald,  taming  roand,  and  putting  hla  ..^aiMl  to  lti« 
belt,  noiM  too  nwlftljr  If  there  had  been  dttnger. 

It  wks  the  subject  of  their  former  converMtion,  the  Citrmjiea 

"  i  mean  to  say,"  continued  he,  tn  a  cold,  stern  voice,  more  au '  horitatlve  than 
they  had  ever  heard  before,  "  that  though  jrour  ditrulM!  and  mv  oivn  (till 
praaerve  our  identity,  it  is  no  longer  so  with  our  gtKxT Captain  KIm.  I  iuMre 
•ucceeded  in  having  an  onimpeded  look  at  his  phii." 

"Can  it  be  true  f "  ejaculated  Rosario,  clasping  her  hands.  > 

"  You  have  succeeded  V  repeated  Ranald.  ** 

•'  Yes ;  thank*  to  the  clue  you  placed  for  me.    Thank  you  '^ery  much."      ^ 

"  So  yon  ha»«:  fairly  viewed  him  ?"  ''$ 

"Yes-  face  to  face— free  from  paint  and  feather— for  upwards  of  half  !•• 
hour,  withoiit  *i'n  having  the  faintuat  warrant  for  imagining  that  I  had  him 
under  the  lens." 

"  Ah  I  that^  why  you  announced  yourself  in  that  rather  theatrical  manner  you 
nse  out  here  f " 

"  I'heatrical,  eh  •  Well,  if  vou  mean  tragic,  you  are  right,  sir.  By  the  way, 
you  were  worried' about  who  p(aced  me  on  guard  over  this  young  lady  ?  I  heard 
that  uio.  Nothing  to  apologise  for.  Well;  it  is  not  over  the  young  lady  that 
I  am  placed,  and  it  is  not  Jim  Ridee  that  orders  me  hf.m  and  there.  I  am 
attached  to  Captain  Kidd,  ladies,  and  Mr.  Guide,"  said  Joe.  with  an  ominous 
smile,  "  and  it  is  Uncle  Sam  that  set  me  on  him.  That  is  all  I  CMnby.  As  for 
listening  to  your  tnlk,  I  did  it  because  of  a  powerful  interest.  .It  is  only  then  I 
do  play  the  spy,  I  hope." 

"  It  does  not  matter  a  bit,  sir  1"  cried  Rosario,  in  her  impulsive  way.  "  This 
time,  as  a  lister  '  vou  have  heiitl  good  of  yourself — but  I  shall  never  have 
done  praising  you  ,  but  go  On  and  t:ll  \xi  about  that  dr^dful  man!" 

"  1  cair.c  for  thrt,  end  I  waste  no  time,  for  it  is  valuable.  To  be  brief — the 
commander  of  these  scoundrels,  r.  ;itivig:  Uimself  Kidd,  is  not  Kidd  at  all,  but  a 
vounger  man— lookinj;  thirty,  but  may  M  more.  He's  dark  enough  to  be  taken 
tor  an  Indian  or  Mexican.  He's  a  handsomij  man  for  those  that  like  the  King 
of  the  Gambler's  type.  I  know  that  under  the  name  of  '  Hank,'  which  ii 
Harry,  Brown,  rather  notorious  down  South,  he  has  been  outlawed  by  the 
Government.  Folks  laugh  at  the  District  Courts,  but  as  their  warrant  com. 
mands  the  military  to  lend  hand  for  an  arrest,  I  guess  Mr.  Brown  thought  i 
judicious  to  leavo  civilization.  But  even  that  name  may  not  be  his  ongina 
one,  or  really  h'!>.  It  may  conceal  something  blacker  in  the  past.  For  one 
may  not  Hank  Brown  be  Corvino,  or  Corioelio  Bustameote,  whose  portis 
you  traced,  senyorita  ?" 

"  fi.%  you  spoke  the  same  idea  struck  me,  I  do  not  know  why.    The  more 
think  it  over,  the  more  solid  the  impression  becomes.    Besides,  this  Comelii 
Bustamante  was  the  bounHe.i  friend  of  Don  Miguel  Tadeo  de  Castel  Leon." 

"  ifis  agent  in  the  shameful  scheme  to  which  you  fell  a  victim,"  added  th 
lieutenant  quickly ;  "  but  where  is  Don  Miguel,  then,  the  infernal  iiend  wh 
wrought  out  the  plot  f  How  is  it  he  has  contrived  to  eet  away  without  leavin 
any  traces  f  It  is  important  to  learn  that.  Well,  well,  *hi»  is  not  interestin 
to  you,"  he  continued,  looking  over  to  Ulla  and  Ranald,  who  were  not  engrosse 
in  this  turn  of  the  co'Mrersation.  "  We  shall  discover  him,  too,  Heaven  nelpin 
us !  I  have  a  clue  that  satisfies  me,  and  sooner  or  later  the  whole  skain  mu 
'  be  in  my  gi^p.  Ladies,  have  faith  in  me  and  in  lim  Ridge ;  both,  on  our  side 
are  going  to  see  this  game  out,  or  our  bones  shall  whiten  the  mouutaios." 

"Mr.  Joe,  I  have  entire  faith  in  you," 

"Andii" 


Irrf4, 


J  f^imi  l^kr. 


93 


and  pMttiag  Ua  '•And  to  kn 

the  CarcAJiw 

mice,  more  auhoritttlwo  than 

good  CapUin  Kidd.    I  liav« 

;  her  hands. 

Thank  you  "«ry  much." 

ther— for  upwards  of  half  an- 
or  imagining  that  I  had  him 

a  rathenheatrical  manner  you 

ou  ar«  right,  sir.  By  the  way, 
over  this  young  lady  t  I  h^rd 
s  not  over  the  young  lady  that 
srs  me  her«  and  there.  I  am 
e,"  said  Joe,  with  an  ominous 
That  is  all  I  c)wr«iy.  As  for 
srful  interest.    It  ii  only  then  I 

!n  h«r  impulsive  way.    "  This 
lurself— but  I  shall  never  have 
hat  dreadful  man!" 
t  is  valuibla.    To  be  brief— *he 

Kidd,  is  not  Kidd  at  all.  but  a 

He's  dark  enough  to  be  taken 

an  for  those  that  like  the  King 

he  name  of  '  Hank,'  which  is 

he  has  been  outlawed  by  the 
arts,  but  as  their  warrant  corn- 
;,  I  guess  Mr.  Brown  thougrht  it 

name  may  not  be  his  original 

blacker  in  the  past.  For  one, 
lio  Bustamente,  whose  portrait 

Jo  not  know  why.  The  more  I 
Komes.  Besides,  this  Cornelio 
guel  Tadeo  de  Castel  Leon." 
It  you  fell  a  victim,"  added  the 
el,  then,  the  'nfernal  fiend  who 
ived  to  get  away  without  leaving 
iTell,  well,  this  is  not  interesting 
I  Ranald,  who  were  not  engrossed 
iscover  him,  too,  Heaven  helping 
er  or  later  the  whole  skein  must 
n  Jim  Ridge;  both,  on  our  sides, 
lail  whiten  the  mouutains." 


••  I,  too !  " 

In  his  hands  th«  lieuUa^nt  preaaed  the  three  held  out  Jta  him  with  Ike  mm* 
since' ity,  Rosano's  trarmeit  with  gratitade. 

Thank  you  ail.  But  time  is  tip  t  Say  good  bye,  Mr.  OearlMmi,  aad  (oUow 
me  close." 

"  Arrn't  we  to  know  my  more  ?  " 

"  Nothing  to  tell,"  returned  Joe,  bluntly.  "  Mr.  Dewrbofa,  §m  ninutet  to 
talw  your  leave  of  the  ladies.  In  your  place,  I  should  wuit  tea  I  "  he  ad«tod, 
gallHntiy. 

Lu.  kity,  Utia  was  not  a  wf> akiing.  and  into  whatever  danger  hw  friead  waa 
about  to  plunge,  she  would  not  indulge  in  any  dwoMBattoa  <rf  OMOtimi  before 
thn  Mexican.  After  her  kind,  the  Scotch  girl  wasu  calni  as  an  Indian.  But 
the  young  man  had  been  brought  up  in  similar  society,  and  comprehended  what 
was  under  the  ice.  He  felt  her  hand  quiver  in  his,  knd  noticed  a  faintly  jealous 
giance  when,  in  what  h«  thought  obligatory  oourtaay  in  the  Spiuii^  isMide, 
he  kiased  Ro!«ario's  little  hand. 

"  Six  minute»  I  "  said  Jos  at  the  door-dap,  in  a  railing  tone. 

Guided  with  brotharly  oare  through  the  camp.  Dearborn  was  tekos  to  an 
oiitkt  where  he  went  away  unnoticed.  Joe  watched  his  figure  melt  into  th« 
f'      <  ■*»»,  and  mutiered  i 

Ikat  yung  man  is  awfully  in  love  with  the  Scotch  girl.  They  inal  j  a 
go<  d  pair.  We  mun  save  thrm  as  well  as  this  fiery  spark  of  a  Mexican.  She's 
more  my  style.'  This  would  be  no  knd  of  a  world  if  such  as  thery  were  tor- 
mented, and  a  vile  creature  like  Brown  had  a  good  time  of  it  in  the  big  cities." 

Getting  back  to  Rosario's  teat,  he  relieved  the  Drudfte  for  the  last  time,  «nd, 
throwing  himself  down  in  the  damp,  slept  or  ^XHidared,  wbkh  noea  eould  say« 
till  the  peep  of  day. 


CHAPTER  XXni. 


A  POK>3t  LITTER. 


LsAvmc  the  amisft)1e  Captain  Kidd  for  the  time  being,  but  pnmilsiog  not  io  he 
slow  in  returning  to  him,  we  hasten  to  Old  Nick's  Jump,  where  we  left  a 
character  as  important  and  far  more  agreeable. 

After  having  carried  out  their  project  in  favour  of  the  white  women  and 
their  captors,  Uie  hunters  deemed  it  wise  to  remain  sheltered  in  the  cavern.  It 
was  not  from  any  likelihood  of  the  Crow  Indians  making  ir>pri»als;  it  was  clear 
enough  that  they  had  not  recognized  them,  and  had  not  lately  been  trying  to 
trace  tbem,  1  he  reason  of  their  "  lajiring  low,"  {,».,  lying  perdu,  was  more 
powerful  J  Jim  Ridge  had  to  wait  for  intelligence  before  he  would  strike  out. 

The  only  persons  excepted  from  this  embarj^o  were  FiWitch  and  Cherokee 
Uill,  thanks  to  which  exception  Lottery  Paul  received  the  drubbing  that  gave 
him  "  fiunny  bones  all  over." 

These  two  were  outlyers  to  the  rest,  beatin|r  the  bushes  beyond  the  Justp-jcf 
inceasantiy. 


94 


The  Rid  Riv«r  Half-Breed. 


i'6: 


In  their  exp'oration,  \htf  found  out  that  thay  had  not  helped  honest 
emigrants  but  tho  Half-breeds,  and  that  the  women  were-  more  likely  to  be 
their  captives  than  their  wives  and  children.  They  had  been  carried  elmost 
too  far  in  their  tow  for  humankind,  and  the  border  law  that  colour  must  defend 
its  own  colour. 

It  is  only  fair  to  the  Yager  to  admit  that,  even  on  learning  that  he  had 
defende(^.  mongrels,  be  was  not  Surry.  H<!  did  not  trouble  himself  any  farther 
about  them,  but  stili  thought  of  their  prisoners. 

Such  was  the  state  of  things  four  days  after  the  Crows  had  been  beaten  off. 
,Some  forty  trappers,  hunters,  and  the  Scotch  Canadians  were  actively  cleaning 
up  their  firearmti,  and  packing  several  days'  provisions,  all  in  anticipation  of  an 
expedition. 

it  was  about  midday,  and  the  remains  of  deermeatand  broken  biscuit  denoted 
that  dinner  had  not  long  been  finished. 

"How  are  you  getting  on,  boyst*"  demanded  Jim,  who  bad  been  bu;ued  !a 
the  same  way  as  the  others. 

"  First  rate,  all  ready  1 "  replied  one  for  the  troop. 

'That's  the  prime  article!  Now  then,  put  out  your  feet!  we  most  camp 
down  to-night,  a  goodish  stretch  from  here." 

"  You  mean  busine&s  P  "  inquired  a  Scot. 

'Decided  busy  business,"  was  the  reply;  "come  this  oightfall,  we  shall 
know  jest  whar  we  are  located." 

"  But  Bill  .ind  the  Californian  left  as,  as  usual,  at  sunrise ;  whar  'bouts  do 
we  gather  'em  in  P" 

"Tjon't  you  flurry,"  said  Jim,  "  they  hare  ran  OB  ahead,  not  to  froUc,  but  to 
(dear  the  traii  and  select  a  earning -grouod."  -' 

"  Nothing  to  keep  us  here,  eh  f  ''^ 

"  Not  a  thing." 

"  Then  we're  off  I "  cried  the  party,  all  afoot,  and  everything  buckled  on. 

•Come  on!" 

The  whole  band  quitted  the  retreat  by  the  subterranean  way  already 
described. 

It  was  a  cold  but  fine  morning,  the  air  pure,  the  sky  blue.  The  sun  had 
pretty  well  thawed  the  snow,  and  as  a  grizzled  old  trapper  said  i  "  Just  th« 
weather  for  a  feller  to  go  ten  miles  a-sparking  his  gal."  The  party  moved  in 
Indian  or  single  file  at  a  good,  regular  pace,  which  took  them  briskly  away 
.  from  the  starting  point.  As  the  horses  were  useless,  they  were  left  behind 
under  guard. 

The  course  brought  the  long  string  of  men  past  the  Red  River  company, 
and  Ridge  remarked  •-.-ith  some  surprise  that  they  who  had  been  so  long  quiet 
now  showed  signs  of  pulling  up  stakos  and  departing.  It  was  to  coalesce  with 
Kidd.  This  set  Ridge  thibking,  and  even  made  him  u.ieasy.  Still,  he  let  no 
evidence  of  this  appear,  but  went  on  in  meditation.  He  was  not  *he  man  to 
ne;/lect  any  precaution,  or  learning  what  this  movement  portended.  Whilst 
walking  on  he  was  lingering  several  pebbles  which  he  had  merely  mechanically 
picked  up,  as  au  observer  would  have  thought. 

On  coming|  to  a  place  whera  their  route  made  »n  elbow,  he  stopped,  without 
s&yiiig  anything  lO  his  foUnwers,  whom  he  let  pass  in  review.  When  the  last 
had  utterly  gone  from  sight,  and  he  was  sure  no  one  else  had  an  eye  on  him, 
he  picked  out  three  trees,  which  naturally  formed  a  very  regular  triaogic.  Into 
each  of  these  three  he  climbed  to  the  crotch,  where  he  scratclied  a  ledge  in  the 
mossy  bark,  *ery  like  what  a  bird  would  make  hunting  for  grubs.  Helcept  the 
moss  and  grated  wood  carefully,  and  laid  Ibe  stone  in  the  Tittle  shelf,  wbm  it 


\d  not  helped  honest 
ire-  more  likfeiy  to  be 
I  been  carried  almait 

hot  colour  must  defend 

learning  that  he  had 
ble  himself  any  fattber 

rs  had  been  beaten  ofT. 

I  were  actively  cleaning 

it  in  anticipation  of  an 

broken  biscuit  denoted 

vbo  had  been  busied  !a 


ur  feet !  we  most  camp 

this  nightfall,  we  shall 
sunrise ;  whar  "bouts  do 
ead,  not  to  frolic,  but  t* 


"'A  Forest  Letter. 


9S 


'M 


erything  buckled  OB. 

bterranean  way  already 

sky  blue.  The  sun  had 
trapper  said:  "Just  tk« 
il."  The  party  moved  in 
took  them  briskly  away 
I,  they  were  left  behind 

be  Red  River  company, 
>  had  been  so  lung  quiet 
It  was  to  coalesce  with 
u.ieasy.  Still,  he  let  no 
He  was  not  »he  man  to 
nont  i>orteniJed.  Whilst 
had  met«]y  mechanically 

bow,  he  stopped,  without 
review.  Wnen  the  last 
ilse  had  an  eye  on  him, 
iry  regular  t/ianfi'e.  Into 
i  scratched  a  ledke  in  the 
;  for  grubs.  He  Kept  the 
the  Tittle  shelf,  where  it 


retted  almost  invisible,  unless  to  an  experienced  eye,  and  that,  too,  looMne'  fo>' 
it.  After  having  executed  thii;  operation  on  all  three  trees,  we  say,  the  yeUow- 
stone  Yager  made  a  heap  of  all  the  moss  and  debris  at  the  foot  of  the  one 
which  was  apex  to  the  trio.  Leading  up  to  this  cone,  scattered  over  with 
leaves,  he  placed  lines  cf  s'lones,  to  .<«ay  nothing  of  other  arrangements  of 
pebbles  which,  though  to  all  seeming  in  disorder,  undoubtedly  conveyed  a 
nieaning,  for  he  went  over  them,  and,  like  a  printer  correcting  his  types, 
modified  them  savpulously. 

Having  once  moie  scrutinised  the  neighbourhood,  to  ht  certain  he  had  no 
spy  on  him,  he  took  uplkis  rifle  and  strode  off,  merrily  whistling  to  hima^to 
overtake  his  comrades,  who  had  not  slackened  their  gait  for  him. 

As  remarked,  Bill  the  Cherokee  and  Filditch  had  ^one  out  scouting  at  day. 
break.  Ridge  had  given  them  partieul.it-  instructions,  and  perhaps  was 
thinking  of  them  when  he  accomplislred  t' >:  enigmatical  work  described.  It 
was  presumably  a  signal  message.  The  Y^iger  was  much  too  serious  a  man 
to  lose  his  time  rn  jokes.  When  he  rejoined  his  men  he  said  never  a  word  on 
his  doings,  and  no  one  questioned  him  ;  they  do  no^Nquestion  "  the  old  man  "  of 
ii  party  when  out  on  the  warpath  with  a  variety  of  deaths  at  hand. 

All  the  afternoon  they  marched  on  without  anything  Rotable  happening 
except  that  a  couple  of  bucks  were  killed,  but  shot  with  arrows,  So  that  no 
Botse  was  made. 

About  five  p.m.,  a  little  after  sunset,  the  band  arri\^  where  the  halt  for  Uie 
night  was  decided.  *' 

It  was  on  the  edge  of  a  rather  wide  clearing,  as  generally  is  the  ease,  to 
prevent  a  s'irprise  and  attack  urrder  cover.  4^vai'.'ng  them,  seated  near  a  fire 
only  just  kindled,  Filditch  was  pufiing  at  a  ci^r'. 

The  ChTokee  Half-breed  was  not  visible. 

Old  Jur.  put  no  quositions  conceruir<g  him,  and  did  not  even  seem  astonished^ 
at  not  sceinj  him. 

A  camp  L-i  not  long  being  made  by  regular  hunters.  The  two  or  three  fires 
soon  burnt  up  in  that  clear,  smokel'-ss,  inten'^ely  hot  way  which  is  the  despair 
of  novices  at  camping.  Thi;  sutspci  being  "  put  under  the  belts,"  everyone 
not  On  watch  wrapped  up  in  blanlicts,  and  wenv  to  sleep  with  feet  to  ihe  fire. 

At  eleven  o'clock  Jim  Rid||t  rose  out  of  a  reverie,  went  the  rounds  of  the 
scnti'iea,  and  finally  dived  lAtO  the  underbrush,  dropping  at  once  so  as  to 
di;ia|ipfar  promptly.  As  .soun  is  he  was  well  out  of  reach  of  the  low  flrelighe 
ra;;'S,  "i*  Itxjkcd  up  at  the  t»k.>'  and  mountain  tops  to  get  his  bearings,  and  trurn 
stPMO  li^iray,  w'th  wide  opening  of  his  long  legs  like  one  who  knew  thoroughly 
what  \yt,wm  about,  and  how  the  country  was  superficially  formed. 

iiii*  ijtipiw  was  only  an  hour  U>ng. 

/rtir^  lit  stixpped  at  a  rock  overhanging  a  waterfall. 

f ■Mil  iiilf  tj»a(  his  weapons  were  in  g<wd  condition  before  putting  in  each  side 
of  hi',  ^kautlv  one  index  finger,  with  which  he  so  changed  the  sh.-xpe  of  that 
ort'ic*  ili'jt  ?i«  W.1S  able  to  imitate  xa  perf  ctlon  the  hooting  of  the  big  blue  owl. 
Ihat  Mtii.  t  «!ghtbird  likely  to  be  about  at  that  time. 

Alfivait  itivcediately  a  swish  as  ol  wings  in  the  bramW'ss  respoDiM.  It  WM 
as;  if  (I  biL'd  Jsad  l»>en  deluJed  and  rushed  to  see  a  mate.  But  no  owi— Jfterely 
a  wir*  il«l*>g'ud  from  the  shadows  scarcely  twenty  paces  from  the  old  moun- 
tnjrifti-f.  'tlf-  wan  came  on  With  extraordinary  confidence,  keeping  his  gna 
t  :;iy  ti>)i<{'f.bly  ready,  ajcd  smoking  a  pipe  with  its  cover  off. 

"  Ob,  vli'ii*  young  fellows  t "  muttered  tb-i  Yager,  with  a  low  laugh;  "they 
w'ljj^ji  ItJSf  I.  in.tbin',  and  it's  no  use  talking  u  'e-i, and,  a^.the  same  time,  this  is 
a  awif  trtwnl.iHg  oimS  among 'em." 


The  Red  Bitter  Ha//-Breed. 


CHAPTBR  XXIV. 

TBI  TAQIR'S  "  TKKATT  TAtK  "  WITH  OUK  HEtO.     , 

in  ft  tarn  mbtttea  the  two  met,  and  eordtatir  gripped  hands.  ' ' 

"  WellP"  demanded  Jim,  curtly. 

"  An  hour  after  you  and  your  company  marched  by,  so  the  Cherolue  said,  I 
met  him.  He  was  puxzline  out  something  of  a  Chinese  puzzle  which  you  left 
for  his  wits.    He  told  me  that  I  should  meet  you  here,  and  the  time." 

"  les'  80.    Why  didn't  he  come  along  ?  " 

"Really,  I  do  not  know,  Mr.  Rid?e," answered  Ranald,  smiling,  foritwcsoor 
amateur  woodman;  "  I  wll  add,  if  you  will  allow  it,  that  you  probably  know 
better  than  I  do.  All  he  saia  was  that  you  had  given  him  something  to  do  that 
would  oblige  him  to  turn  back." 

"  That's  so,  too.  I  was  afeard  he  would  not  understand  my  '  collar  of  wam- 
pmn,'  my  forest  letter,"  said  Ridge, 

"  Oh,  don't  you  cherish  any  alarm  on  that  head.  It  struck  me  that  Lilians 
road  your  forest  letter,  as  you  sttyie  it,  as  easily  as  I  should  a  page  in  a  bobk — • 
with  this  advantage,  tliat  he  cuuid  do  it  in  the  dark  with  his  lingers  if  need  be. 
You  are  wonderful  with  your  devicas  I  But  h^.e  I  am :  deal  with  me  as  you  see 
fit" 

"  I  want  to  hear  you  first,"  saiJ  Ridge.  "  We  are  quite  alune  here.  You 
have  seen  the  young  lady,  tovfards  whom  I  think  you  feel  tendwly,  and  have 
brushed  up  against  Captain  Kidd,  the  old  pirate  I     Say  your  say  about  them," 

The  young  Englishman  retiected  a  while,  and  not  till  then  did  he  reply,  in  a 
vcHce  still  unsteady  with  emotion,  "  If  I  were  facing  any  other  man  than  one 
whom  I  esteem  as  the  King  of  the  Wilderness:  if  I  supposedyou  had  any  other 
sentiments  in  your  heart  than  those  which  ^11,  white,  red  and  yellow,  acknowledge 
to  he  worthy,  I  should  speak  out  thus — 1  am  a  rich  man  in  Englanl,  and 
will  give  you  half  tny  property  for  your  imestimaMe  help  to  free  that  poor 
young  lady," 

He  fixed  an  anxious  gaze  on  the  hunter. 

"  Well,  1  ain't  that  style  of  man,"  said  the  tatter ;  "and  seeing  you  are  fadnf 
mfe,  what  do  you  say  P  " 

"  To  you,  Jim  Kidge,"  went  on  the  young  lover,  with  tears  in  his  eyes,  "  I 
have  to  say  this— lea  really  in  anguish,  and  my  heart  is  aching  with  app/e- 
heMioa.  Those  wouien  surrounded  by  merciless  reprobates — 'tis  a  horrJbie 
situation.  Counting  that  iad  Leon  the  Drudge  as  a  man,  he  and  the  Carcaiieu 
and  myself  are  a  mere  mouthful  among  the  o^res.  Except  yourself  and  friends 
and  the  kernel  of  Sir  Archie's  ill-fRted  expedition,  these  wilds  8<tem  to  swarm 
with  dangers,  not  the  least  of  whi^h  are  human.  To  enable  me  to  help  those 
ladies,  I  will  pledj?;e  you  my  life  if  1  can  only  lay  it  down  to  save  you  and  those 
de  r  to  you  some  day,  I  am  a  new-comer  here,  Mr.  Ridge,  but  I  h*ve  already 
perceived  (hat  all  bow  to  your  will.  Your  incontestable  superiodty  is  owned 
by  yoai  enemies  themselves." 

''Well,  Mr.  Dearborn,  I  am  inclined  to  believe  wo  shall  weld  up  the,  thin^. 
Don't  cal'  it  a  bargain,  that's  all.  But  let  us  step  away  from  here  lively.  It  is 
no  place  for  a  treaty  talk.    In  a  short  time,  by  that  distant  thunder,  which  is 


T 


ina 


he  Cherokoe  said,  I 
lule  which  you  left 
theUma." 

niiing,  forltwssour 
you  probably  know 
omethiDg  to  do  that 

mj  '  collar  of  warn- 

:k  me  that  Williams 

a  page  in  a  bobk — • 

s  lingers  if  need  be. 

J  with  me  as  you  see 

«  plune  here.  You 
tenderly,  and  have 
lur  say  about  them." 
:en  did  he  reply,  in  a 
other  man  than  one 
wd  vou  had  any  other 
yellow,  acknowledge 
n  in  Englan  1,  and 
p  to  fna  that  poor 


leeing  you  are  fadnf 

tars  in  hit  ey«fl,  "  I 
aching  with  app.fer 
ates — 'tis  a  hordbie 
he  and  the  Carcaiicu 
yourself  and  friends 
Ids  a<wm  to  swarm 
le  me  to  help  those 
)  save  you  and  those 
I,  but  f  h4ve  already 
superiority  Ut  owned 

weld  up  the,  thin^. 
m  here  lively.  It  is 
It  thuoder,  which  is 


''itfis^ager'i  '* Ttmty  JV/*"  tviih  otir  Hero. 


91 


rolling  snow  and  w«tor,  UieMi  will  be  a  riw  here,  and  we  may  be  drowned,  ay 
and  frozen." 

Ranald  followed  the  veteran  Westerner  without  a  word.  This  reading  sign* 
of  natural  disturbances  from  afar  impressed  him  powerfully.  His  guide  want 
round  the  worn  boulder,  ascended  some  steps  rudely  shaped  by  time  in  the 
granite,  ard  after  gliding  in  at  a  deft  hardly  at  first  allowing  them  to  squeese 
through,  reached  a  deep  cave  not  perceptible  from  without. 

*'  One  of  my  favourite  nooks,"  observed  Jim,  taking  matches  from  a  dry 
rorner,  with  which  he  ignited  an  elk  fat  candle,  and  then  kindling  a  fire  m 
ready  piled  wood  behiifd  a  rocky  mantle.  "Nc^ody  knows  it  except  Bill 
Williams  and  me.  You  are  the  first  outsider  let  in.  We  are  cjuite  secure. 
Neither  inquisitive  eyes  nor  greedy  ears  are  open  on  us  here;  nothing  but  the 
dead  arc  at  hand,"  stamping  lightly  on  a-  gentle  eminence.  "  They,  at  any  rate, 
ki*p  a  still  tongue.  Who  are  they  P  Men  like  myself,  who  show  the  settler 
ihewayto  the  best  sites  for  towns  where  thou»nds  of  happy  children  will 
peacefully  learn  and  play  and  grow  up  without  even  hearing  our  names.  Such 
is  the  explorer's  fate.  But  the  flame  mounts  brightly — away  wit''  black 
thougiits.  "^o  our  concerns;  speak  out  straight  and  clear.  It  is  needful 
that  I  should  know  your  story  completely,  that  I  may  see  how  yuu  intend 
.<c(in<r  by  that  young  lady  for  whom  you  own  a  tenderness.  Then,  here's  tn^ 
hand." 

"  I  have  nothing  to  keep  back,  sir.  f  thank  God  that  even  my  youthful  foU 
tics  are  not  such  at  man  blames  harshly.  My  full  title  is  Sir  Ranald  Dearborn 
Ivyson,  a  baronet  of  Teviotdale.  My  family,  my  position  in  the  country  and 
monetarily,  are  more  than  merely  good.  I  was  amusing  myself  with  travel 
without  any  particular  aim,  when  I  met  Miss  Maclan  at  a  y;arrison  ball  in 
Can;ida,  and  fell  in  love  with  her— at  least,  I  thought  the  passion  tMt  shallow, 
out  its  full  depth  was  immeasurable  till  I  found  her  in  danger." 

"  That's  so,  boy — it's  like  the  freeze—go  sudden  to  a  fire,  and  mark  how  it 
smarts." 

"  There's  not  a  doubt  of  it  now.  When  your  friend,  Williams,  directed  her 
to  give  herself  up  to  Captain  Kidd's  men,  I  felt  my  love  almost  overthrow  my 
reason,  for,  though  that  told  me  he  was  ordering  the  best  course,  my  sentiment 
urged  me  to  disobey,  and  throw  my  life  away  by  desperately  preventipg  her 
being  touched  by  those  scoundrels  I" 

"  Qiil  is  a  wise  man !"  interpolated  Ridge.  "  Mis  father  was  a  large  diction- 
ftvv— he's  the  pocket-biwi — but  the  same  amount  of  laming,  pretty  nigh,  in 
both.     But  goon,  you  must  b«  back  within  Kidd's  camp  by  sun-Up." 

"  I  have  no  more  to  say..    Whe    we  rescue  that  young  lady,  and  t  place  her 
in  civilisation  once  more,  I  shall  ^Ive  her  time  to  let  mere  gratitude  die  out, 
and  then  offer  myself.     If  she  at-cepts,  I  shall  be  a  happy  man.     If  she  rejects, 
I— 1 — well,  either  a  soldier  I'll  be,  or  I'll  come  and  join  you  in  year  roviag' 
career — a  miserable,  heart-broken  man  I" 

"  A  desirable  recruit !  "  said  Jim,  with  hit  low  laugh.  "  Walt,  it  'peat*  you 
are  bound  to  do  the  right  thing.  I  believe  you,  and  this  is  a  more  solemn 
engagement  than  you  had  before.     We  snail  help  you." 

••Thanks!" 

"  How  are  you  thriving  with  the  Cap,  T 

*'  How  am  I  getting  on  with  Kidd  ?     I  have  succeeded  in  leceiving  him." 

"  Ah,  but  for  how  long  ?  He's  a  cute  devil.  At  the  least  suspicion,  he  will 
pin  you  to  a  tree,  or  I'iddTe  yf>u  with  a  repeater !" 

"  1  s'luli  take  care  not  to  rouse  his  mistrust,"  answered  Ranald,  with  a  smile 
of  confidence. 


99 


The  Med  Miver  HaiJ-Breed. 


>  Heaven  i 


)arc«s-b 


•tamer  eo  into 


rho,  seeing  th«  I 
the  cam  so  eaailj  every  day,  offers  to  pertoiiu  the  critters  the  tirst  day  ne  tans 
aick.  However,  youth  will  be  Ijoaa^ful.  in  any  case,  rely  on  :ne. '  That  American 
girl  is  the  daugiiterof  my  brother's  son.  And  ^.nother  belief  of  mine  is  all  out  of 
the  tie  if  that  poor  young  lad  is  not  her  br.,;Ker  Lewis.  This  depends,  per- 
haps, On  finding  out  who  their  gaoler  is — ttiis  Kidd,  in  reality.  Soon  the 
means  of  identifying  the  children  will  be  at  hand  if  the  father's  loving  eyes  are 
bafSed.  There  are  more  friends  and  allies  yet  to  he  seen  by  you.  An  old 
friend  of  my  nephew  Filditch  is  due  right  here,  and  right  now.  His  name 
is  Don  Gregorio,  Peralta,  Lewis's  uncle.  From  him,  through  a  trader,  come 
the  'pointers'  that  have  set  me  against  Captain  Kidd.  I  allow  that,  so  far, 
he  haa  thrown  me  out,  but  I  take  a  heap  of  beating,  and  tben  I  am  not  cou- 
quered.  But  he  has  even  bigger  enemies  than  this  child.  Into  his  ver})  camp, 
travelling  along  with  his  crowd  from  the  very  jump-off,  is  oa«  of  his  foes, 
fir.  He  must  have  been  in  communication  with  you  first  off.  He  has  been 
signalling  to  us  all  over  the  mountain,  from  smok«  and  fires,  ^d  played  with 
the  axe  on  trees." 

"  You  allude  to  the  Carcajieu." 

"  Ay,  the  Wolverine.  You  can  *go  to  sleep  In  his  blanket.'  You  mast  put 
full  confidence  in  him,  for,  otherwise,  he  might  upset  your  plans  without  intend- 
ing it  in  performing  his  special  duty.'l. 

"  There's  no  fear  about  that,    joe  and  I  have  no  secrets  for  one  another." 

•'  So  much  the  slicker  1  Now,  we  are  full  forty  strong.  Before  this  gang 
reaches  the  Yellowstone  Valley,  we  shall  be  nearly  a  hundred,  for  the  trappers 
are  rallying." 

"  We  are  certain  to  succeed  I "  exclaimed  the  Englishman,  gleefully, 

"  Certainty  is  a  brittle  twig.  But '  our  cause  it  is  just,'  as  the  song  says,  and 
we  are  going  to  do  our  utmost.  Ou-  'jneraies  are  the  more  to  be  dreaded  as 
'  gold  or  a  ^rave  '  is  a  motto  that  pulls  them  far.  They  are  not  the  first  band, 
though  about  the  bigg(!st,  that  have  started  for  the  Wonderland.  So  far  we 
bave  driven  them  back,  or  Nature's  scared  them  ;  but  that  cannot  be  etarnal. 
It  is  >v  ^  more  than  a  coup'ie  of  days  that  I  found  out  that  the  leader  of  these 
banditu  is  the  notorious  Captain  Kidd.  He  is  far  down  in  my  book  for  being 
the  brother  of  one  Miguel  Tadeo,  a  scoundrel  who  has  dropped  through  some- 
where, though  tlie  frontier  is  alive  with  inquiries  afttr  him.  Kidd  is  a  pesti- 
lence, but  Don  Miguel  is  the  black  plague  itself  I  He  is  overflowing  with  spite 
Against  his  brother  man.  If  he  is  hanging  around  me,  why,  I  haven't  seen  a 
trace  yet,  a<'d  that's  bitter  on  an  old  trailhunter  that's  consulted  by  guides  with' 
a  big  reputation.  So  be  prudent,  young  sir,  for  you  are  in  the  hornets'  nest. 
Kidd  will  kill  you  straight,  on  the  faintest  doubt,  without  any  challenge.  Other 
hostiles  abound,  keep  before  you  as  a  fact :  the  Indians,  and  those  Canadian 
Half-breeds.  Their  chief,  Dagard,  is  a  queer  mut  of  good  white  and  bad  Injin, 
and  a  crime  no  more  burdens  his  conscience  than  the  last  drink  he  took.  Add 
that  all  the  stray  pirates  of  the  prairie,  hoia  th>-'»,  gold-diggers,  robbers,  and 
skulks  ginerally  will  flock  to  Kidd  the  moment  he  has  an  advantage  over  ua 
which  promises  him  undisputed  passage  into  the  Enchanted  Valley.  You  see 
the  scales  are  pulled  down  agin  us  I 

"  I  even  have  an  idee  that  there's  a  secret  agreement  between  Kidd,  which 
Includes  Don  Miguel,  and  this  Dagard.  1  met  more'n  once  down  in  Montana, 
and  even  farther  south,  the  Half-breed  Margottet,  now  the  lieutenant  of  these 
fried  River  Rovers.  Thar's  some  big  scheme  hatching  in  the  Nor'- West,  for 
tl»e  Injins  have  knocked  under  to  the  railroad  on  the  plains  as  Big  Bad 
Uedicine;  but  cherish  bopea,  among  the  Apaches  jiway  South  and  Qp    here 


21IIJ.IIIIHI1II 


Th^  1      ►■*i  "'Aeaty  Tiilh"  with  mt  Hero. 


the  lic,>tainergointo 
i  tbe  first  day  he  fallt 
1  Me.  That  AnjeriMm 
ef  of  mine  is  all  out  of 
,  This  depends,  per- 
in  reality.  Soon  the 
liber's  loving  eyes  are 
seen  by  you.  An  eld 
ght  now.  His  name 
rough  a  trader,  come 
I  allow  that,  so  (ar, 
i  then  I  am  not  coa- 
.  Into  his  very  cam^, 
ff,  is  t>a«  of  his  foeat 
rst  off.  He  has  been 
fires,  ^d  played  with 

nk^'    Yoa  m«9t  P* 
c  plans  without  intend- 

a  for  one  anoiiher." 
ag.    Before  this  gang 
adred,  for  the  trappew 

«an,  gleefully, 
,'  as  the  song  says,  «n(l 
lore  to  be  dreaded  as 
are  not  the  first  band, 
inderland.  So  far  we 
;hat  cannot  be  etarnal. 
hat  the  leader  of  these 
1  in  my  book  for  being 
dropped  through  some- 
him.  Kidd  is  a  pesti- 
I  overflowing  with  spite 

why,  I  haven't  seen  A 
insulted  by  guides  with . 
•e  in  the  hornets'  nest, 
it  any  challenge.  Other 
s,  and  those  Canadian 
od  white  and  bad  Injin, 
ist  drintc  he  toolc.  Add 
id^diggers,  robbers,  and 

an  advantage  over  us 
anted  Valley.    You  see 

t  between  Kidd,  which 
once  down  in  Montana, 
the  lieutenant  of  these 
[  in  the  Nor- West,  for 
the  plains  as  Big  Bad 
ay  ^uth  and  tip    ber« 


Owarda  the  Queen's  cowntry.  Ever  since  the  Stouz  wers  driven  over  ti.e 
border,  the  Hatf-bveer!/)  have  been  s?  ucy.  Wall,  you  are  do'sbiy,  trebly  warped, 
young  sir,  and  must  abide  by  the  conseqacnces. 

"  Do  all  I  can,  I  caanut  pieice  Kidd's  game.  Something  in  his  proceedings 
upsets  my  calculations.  If  he  were  r^ot  so  notorious  during  such  a  long  time 
in  the  West,  I  should  imagine  him — but  that's  all  nonsense  I  Anyhow,  sir, 
mi'id  that  fotgeCfulness,  rai^nness.  blindness-  they'll  ruin,  no — well,  wofse  than 
that,  they'll  destroy  all  those  girls  and  women.  There  are  young  men  who 
love  as  strongly  as  yen,  whose  sweeth'arU  are  in  that  band;  wthers  who 
sorrow  like  my  nephew,  whose  da'ters  are  there  cooped  up.  But  I  am  glad  to 
know  you,  sir !  We  have  had  gilt-edged  Englishmen  out  here  that  brought 
servants  from  London,  things  in  the  shape  ol  men,  but  who  my-lorded  thers 
and  your-gracr-'  them,  and  disgraced  themselves ! —they  thought  money  wou'd 
buy  every  m<;  thing  even  here  I  No,  sir,  I  am  ofltering  you  my  fife,  and 
Cherokee  Bill  _-,  and  a  score  more,  but  not  for  cash  I  You  have  a  manly  nature, 
tb fit's  enough  ;  that  kind  comes  among  tb<i  same  kind  when  they  talk  to  the 
hunter  and  trapper  with  no  double  tongue.  The  old  country  is  no  decayiiig 
tree,  fir,  when  thar's  young  shoots  like  you  I " 

The  speaker  had  been  so  unusually  eloquent,  unlike  his  brief,  measured 
sentences,  that  not  till  now  could  his  hearer  get  in  a  word  which  he  was  eager 
to  say. 

"  1  wish  to  tell  you,  Ridge,  that  Joe,  whom  you  praise  so  highly,  while  rather 
mysteriously,  assured  me  that  Kida  is  living  literally  behind  a  mask,  and  that' 
be  has  seen  it  laid  aside." 

"  Do  tell  ?"  inquired  the  Old  Man  rf  the  Mountiir.. 

"  He  told  me  that  last  night,  a  little  thanks  to  my  having  fixed  on  a  capital 
site  over  a  burrow  for  the  captain's  tent,  he  was  able  t(j  get  a  good  look  at  him 
after  he  had  unsuspoctedly  laid  aside  his  daily  disguise." 

"  Wagh  1  tfis  is  worth  hearing." 
.    "  He  says  that  the  real  face  belongs  to  a  noted  criminal  called  Hank,  or 
Henry  Brown,  which  in  turn  hides  one  Comelio  de  Bustamcnte." 

"  Bustamente  I  Oh  !  we've  heard  of  him  j  the  great  St.  Louis  Forger !  ** 
died  Ridge.  "  Ob,  why  is  not  Don  Gregorio  on  the  spot  ?  However,  patience, 
patience.  But  the  time  is  over  for  our  parting.  Haste  away.  I  shall  not 
lorget  that  Kidd  is  Bustamente.  in  two  days  we  shall  meet  again.  Trust  to 
Joe,  he's  not  to  be  tricked  even  by  such  hardened  rogws." 
"  But  you  do  not  tell  me  where  we  meet  f  " 

"  There  is  a  swamp  and  burnt  wooded  stretch  called  Winter  Black,  or  the; 
Wintet  Burning." 

''  I  can  remt-nber  that." 

"  Good  luck  I  thank  joe  for  the  clue  he  gives  we.  1*11  question  the  boys  on 
the  point.  Hurry  off  to  your  camp,  for  you  have  a  distance  to  go.  In  twa 
days,  same  hour,  at  Winter  Black.    GiX)d-bye,  boys  ! " 

The  two  sitook  hands  and  left  the  cavt-rn,  departing  oppositely  at  the  mouth. 

The  rest  of  the  night  passed  tranquilly.     An  hour  before  the  false  dawn  an 

<»»l  was  heartMamentably  hooting  as  if  its  night  hunt  had  failed,  and  it  feared 

it  must  go  suppcrless  to  its  couch.     But  Jim  Ridge  stood  up,  and  answered  in 

the  same  long-drawn,  pitiful  tones. 

Those  of  the  watch  must  have  been  more  surprised  than  edified  by  the  singular 
disloffue  that  went  on  between  Old  Ridge  and  his  unseen  interlocutor.  All  the 
wild  Dessts  and  birds  of  ths  fieid,  forest,  and  mountain  seemed  engaged  in  a 
concert.  The  calls  and  defiant  cries  of  various  birds  seemed  to  awaken  bears 
tnai  wild  eats,  and  the  coyotes  waited  tu  the  sharply-yelping  praicits  dogs. 


1 


roo 


The  Bed  Siver  Half- Breed. 


The  iiounds  were  so  arbitrarily  amng«d,  thst  a  conjurer  wowH  Ik;  puni«d  to 
distinguish  th«  texiit  of  a  single  sentoncf  Bnt  tL«  Yager  upderstood  it  per* 
fectly,  of  course,  and  what  is  more,  seeme  i  ijuite  satisfied  with  thie  informatioa 
so  strangely  conveved  to  him.  When  it  was  over,  he  went  and  awoke  an  old 
beaver-trapper  to  take  bis  relief  on  guard,  and  remarked: 

"  Bill  has  done  it  I  all  goes  lovely." 

At  sunrise  the  hunters  resumed  their  nvirch.  though  Cherdkee  Bill  had  itill 
nov  joined.    But  Ridge  again  passed  no  comment  on  the  absenc*. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 


WI  UUR  FROM   CBIRORtt  Bttt. 


It  in  commonly  in  September  that  the  savages  "  go  in  for  the  winter  hunt,"  in  ths 
region  where  our  story  takes  place.  Then  hunts  are  the  moie  impoitaiu  trom  the 
animals'  fur  beingin  prime  condition,  and,  of  coursr,  fetd)in|r  a  better  price  at  the 
trading  ctntres.  The  picked  hunters  of  various  Indian  nations  come  mto  the  grrat 
noahern  wilds,  and  arc  the  more  mixed  up  recently,  as  the  railway  pioneers  and 
settlers  arrive  in  too  strong  force  to  pay  much  heed  to  treaty  restrictions.  Ttkc  up- 
shot is,  that  while  a.  tacit  truce  is  tolerably  well  maintained,  so  long  as  every  arrow 
and  hulk-^is  required  to  make  "  eatable  meat,"  the  view,  often  the  contact  of  enemies, 
causes  a  .yruy  rtunter  of  any  race  to  thread  his  way  as  gingerly  as  a  solilier  advaiic- 
ing  among  mines,  conniermines,  and  torpedoes.  Unless  under  ezcqitional  circum- 
stanoTH,  though,  the  main  bodies  do  not  fall  on  one  another.  Personai  interest,  tiie 
Mi-y  tiotor,  imposes  this  restraint  on  their  ferocious  habits. 

In  sooth,  besides  the  furs  they  sell,  the  red  men  have  to  preserve  aome  for 
garments ;  moreover,  there  is  the  flesh  of  the  prizes  to  be  dried  by  sun  or  fire, 
jerked,  or  crubbed  up  with  salt,  to  citable  then*  to  pass  tke  rigorous  winter  so  fata} 
to  i  ..pio'.ident  tribes. 

As  tire  ^ame  gets  crowded  away  from  the  farmers'  aze  and  the  locomotive  engine 
whistle,  it  thickens,  naturally,  in  the  final  retreats.  In  this  quarter,  it  fairly  swarms. 
The  butfaloes  run  still  in  countless  herds;  there  is  plenty  of  elk,  beaver,  deer, 
bear,  musk  ox,  foxes  of  several  kinds,  wolves,  red,  grey,  and  white,  musquash, 
ermine,  a  Jew  opossum ;  and,  for  winged  game,  turkeys,  prairie  fowl,  bustard, 
eagtes,  and  so  on.  And,  besides,  the  clearer  waters  furnish  fine  fiab — aaluon,  troul^ 
perch,  sturgeons,  the  great  white  fish,  and  small  fry  profusely. 

Hence  the  nomads  guard  this  territory  as  narrowly  as  their  unsteadiness  permits. 
As  it  is  dishonourable  (or  a  warrior  to  use  tillage  implements,  only  one  or  two 
people  sow  a  little  maize,  without  much  assurance  they  will  themselves  hatvest-in 
the  crop.  When  there  is  a  failure  of  f^me,  therefore,  misery  is  acute,  and  famine 
ooon  appears  to  decimate  the  decaying  bands. 

The  inextinguisluble  hatred  of  the  ancient  possessors  of  the  scnl,  springs  from 
ttie  invasion  and  hacking  away  of  the  hunting  grounds.  The  trappers  and  hunters, 
who  went  rarely  in  large  knots,  were  well-armed  aiid  too  well  able  to  take  care  of 
thtit  huads  to  be  molested ;  and,  besides,  made  no  grk.it  gaps  in  the  herds.  But 
of  late  years,  selfishj  money-making,  pit  hss  slaughterers  have  come  out  from  the 
advanci:  posts  of  civilisation,  and  not  orily  massacred  the  tKa!>ts  wantonly  fur  hide 


ii'ii-;'  ^-Et;fcr:iri^v 


Jf^  hear  from  Cktfrohn  BUI. 


101 


ouW  he  ptiMled  to" 
■  up-leistood  it  per. 
rith  the  infonnatioo 
kt  and  awoke  an  old 


lerokee  Bill  had  atffl 
biteace. 


>  winter  h«nt,"  In  ** 
lie  imptiitant  from  the 
g  a  belter  price  at  the 
IS  come  mto  the  gttat 
railway  pioneer*  and 
restrictions.  Ttic  up- 
o  long  as  every  arrow 
the  contact  of  enemies, 
ly  as  a  solilier  advanc- 
er eictjjtionat  circum- 
Perfioaal  interest,  tii<k 

to  presenre  •ome  for 
!  dried  bj-  win  or  fire, 
gorous  winter  «o  laiaJ, 

(1  the  locomotive  engine 
luarter,  it  fairly  swarms, 
y  of  elk,  beaver,  d«r, 
and  white,  musquash, 
prairie  fowl,  bustard, 
ine  fi»h~«alr«on,  Uwit, 

y. 

ir  unstMdiness  permits. 

lents,  only  one  or  two 
,  themselves  haivest-in 
y  is  acute,  and  famine 

the  8(m1,  fiprings  from 
he  trnppers  and  hunters, 
ell  able  to  take  care  of 
raps  in  the  herds.  But 
lave  come  out  from  tne 
b^aita  wanunily  for  hide. 


and  fancy  heads  and  horns,  for  mere  ornaments  in  milHonnaires'  vestibules,  but  {it 
thtlr  rear  whisky  sellers  establish  shanties.  These  grow  like  Jonah's  gourd,  ai>d 
wither  as  fast,  it  is  irae  t  but  on  'heir  ruins  real  settlers  tiock,  and  towns  p.re 
speedily  laid  out.  Deer  will  not  abide  sheep,  it  is  well  known,  and  so  the  Iridiast 
Imuc  the  farmer  and  grazier  only  a  point  less  fiercely  than  these  buffalo  butchers. 

As  for  the  moral :  the  Indians  say  that  tiie  land  was  their  fathers',  or  that  of  the 
strong  hand.     When  they  uphold  the  latter  doctrine,  the  pioneers  plead  for  the 
Government  troops  tn  take  them  at  th«r  word,  or  let  them  wipe  the  varmxnt  out. 
•    Closing  this  necessary  digression  sharply,  we  proceed  with  our  taSe. 

The  diverb  aborigines  assembled  for  Uie  great  wiiitek  hunt  had  never  been  •» 
annoyed  before  as  by  the  almost  simultaneous  intrusion  of  Sir  Archie  Madan's 
sledgin;  party  from  Canada,  the  Half-breeds  from  Bed  River  td  0»  North,  and 
Captain  Kidd's  gold-grabbers  from  the  Sauth. 

The  Crows  had  fleshed  their  arrows  the  first  in  the  Scotch  party,  and  tfts  news 
had  swiftly  crossed  the  wastes  of  "  a  heap  of  scalps  and  plunder"  being  obtained. 
The  mock  Chippeway  guide  had  become  a  hero  of  legend.  The  attack  on  the  Half- 
bieeds,  though  a  repulse,  was  also  ooatmended,  and  Ahaeaickee  bad  added  laarab 
to  his  wreath. 

Whilst  this  news  was  still  fresh,  an  Indian  camp  was  eatsbUshed  on  the 
faank  of  Bear  River,  an  affluent  of  Red  River  which  does  not  alwav  feed  it,  being 
sometimes  "  lost "  in  a  sink-tole  on  the  way  wtten  the  waters  fall  low.  Bean  <M 
not  people  the  shore  now }  that  was  a  tradition. 

A  considerable  portion  of  the  head  tribe  of  Piegrans  occupied  the  score  and  a  half 
of  butlalo-hide  tents,  sodded  at  the  bott*m  ed^e  to  keep  out  the  cold  aiul  wet.  These 
Inditins  appertain  to  the  great  nation  of  the  Blackfeet,  still  one  of  die  most  warlike 
and,  consequently,  most  dreaded  of  the  Noi'-Westers.  They  are  a  little  free  in  their 
reading  of  humbug  law,  as  they  are  known  to  (;o  and  steal  horses  on  the  Meid^jan 
frontier,  whether  the  Apaches  and  Comanches  iiVe  the  inroad  or  not. 

This  troop  compiised  some  two  hundred  "  big  braves."  The  several  headmen, 
or  captains,  obeyed  a  sachem  called  "  K.nif'S-painted-with  Blood,"  or  more  con- 
cisely. "  Red  iCnife."  He  had  valiaiuly  won  the  title  by  preferring  hand-to-hand 
strag^es. 

He  was  only  about  thirty,  standing  clear  six  feet,  and  not  bow-legged,  more 
slender  than  bulky,  but  unusually  active  and  skilful  with  vanuus  weapons,  though 
with  the  knife  he  oculd  execute  any  feat.  His  expression  was  a  haughty  one,  rather 
majesdc  when  not  cruel  and  scomiful.  Hl<t  smatUsh,  black,  bead-Kirs  eyes,  deep  set, 
sparkled  with  cunning,  malice,  and  fearlessneM.  He  was  idolised  hy  his  followers, 
and  though  the  ofiice  of  war-chief  is  precarious,  and  sach  a  one  is  often  forced  to 
make  concessions  or  be  deposed,  never  bad  Red  iCnife  met  discussion  for  his  order. 
He  reigned  like  an  Asiatic  nsonarc^i. 

Ordinarily,  as  the  women  and  chikUen  are  indispensable  for  die  mcat-maltitg, 
and  fur  and  skin  dressing,  the  Lidians  must  have  them  aiul  tbdr  dogs  and  p:.  -M  ■ 
pontes  along  with  them.  The. dogs,  for  oaoe,  get  fully  fed,  and  so  beooras  too 
appetising  with  their  rodnd  paunches,  and  are  sacrificed  in  (east  wtsea  not  ra^uited 
farbunteiu. 

On  this  oocaukm  the  Piegans  had  no  living  impediments  hi  their  camp,  and  the 
warriors  had  not  replaced  the  war-paint  pictures  with  peaceful  embKtms.  This 
proved  clearly  that  this  party  only  pretended  to  be  oat  a-hundng,  aad  soi^ht  an 
opportunity  to  outdo  the  Crows  in  an  attack  on  the  white  intruders. 

Foe  seme  ten  days  they  had  been  located  at  their  regular  encampmeRt  To 
prevent  quarrels,  each  hunting  party  occupies  the  iaim.  sjtr  nnin  time  out  c(  minii. 

Among  Indian  beliefs  is  the  singular  one  that  cich  tribe  ha«  an  animal  anoestcr, 
whose  image  or  present  limrpl  representative  is  tbett  totem,  or  sacred  stands  d. 


1}  l. 


lape  is  tAOooed  on  thr  'loaom.  When  the  size  or  rftricjr  caf  th«  oAua)  animal 
prevents  even  its  akin  bdnt'T  pona(>le,  it*  figure  b  pair  ted,  on  a  Usuuser,  exiieriely 
revered,  and  K^uarUeil  by  an  utd  warrior^  the  counierp*  to  our  eiiai|giiu  Over  4iiU 
above  Ibis  public  token  is  another  one,  only  known  tu  uie  up)M:r  ctasis  «>i  *'  men  u(  the 
medicine,"  being  a  i^ranj  pass-sign,  prafticalty  universal.  VVe  bawe  only  vj  add 
that  the  good  sense  which  tempers  tlie  BuperBiiiiun  of  the  Noith  Anacncau  savage 
»Ui>ws  him,  when  hungry,  tu  hunt,  kill,  and  eat  the  animal  u{  bis  (cvwrenee,  tbuuirh, 
truly,  he  always  apologises  by  way  ot  grace  to  the  victim.  But  tbe  super-sacrvd 
emblem  would  be  respected  in  any  emergency.  Lactcily,  this  is  clioscii  among 
such  uncommon,  even  extinct,  or,  peibaps,  fabulous  creatures,  cbiu  it  would  be 
exempt  from  maltreatment  m  any  case. 

Tbe  tribe  of  Red  Knife  were  coa\inced  that  the  grizdy  bear  was  their  great 
grandfaiher,  and  so  always  came  to  Bear  River  as  a  hunting  home. 

At  sunrise  of  a  fine  day  of  dying  September,  the  Piegans  wne  ratlter  lazily 
attending  to  the  moruiug  Lxbours,  the  more  disguMtedly  ••  these  am  usually  turned 
over  lo  tlie  women. 

Ti'.s  camp,  intelligently  placed  on  the  water  side,  and  otherwise  dtfended  by  a 
double  row  of  stakes,  presented  the  untidy  u!>pcct  uf  such  places — *'  and  «melt  m>,  |>ali  t" 

War  ponies,  held  by  ropes  to  pegs,  munched  climbing  peas.  At  the  dooi  of  his 
tent.  Red  Knife — squatted  at  a  kn. — was  ti^aling  himself  with  &  ticluie-breakldst 
smoke.  His  eyes  were  half  closed  like  a  cat's.  Two  sub-chiefs  aftKHl  by  liira  with 
the  same  seeming  inattention.  After  the  horses  bad  had  their  fill,  itsey  were  taketi  tn 
the  watering-place,  whereupon  the  mt»  might  eat.  So  gue3  the  tJue  lot  tiie  wai- 
horses :  much  like  Atab  rule. 

Soon  the  cbief  was  given  his  meat,  simply  enoagh  ooropose<i  of  mill  fuah  tncat, 
toe  smashed  up  with  wild  fruit  to  aciddy  it,  and  a  bowl  ut  butuiny,  «>r  Indian  cum 
ha»ty-puuding,  made  Htvuuiy  with  bear's  fat  and  flavoured  with  nicsifpcwd<.r  and 
a.  dash  of  rocksalt.  It  was  tite  hageslo,  or  crier,  who  was  also  the  butler.  When 
he  had  dished  up,  the  commander  kuidly  invited  his  lieutenants  to  ff^mt  by  him  a:id 
help  hitu  out  with  the  repast.  They  nirdded,  laid  by  their  pipeA,  and  all  three  wtnt 
(o  work  without  uttering  a  word.  A  £uiopean  might  nut  ha^e  lelisbcd  the  spread, 
even  washed  down  wiiU  poor  whisky  and  the  i-jy  wa'xr,  but  an  Iciiian  la  not 
fastidious.  When  he  has  fotjd,  he  eats  gluttoiiuasly,  ab&oibmg  *a  incredible 
quantity,  for  it  is  ciluuettc  to  rcfu.se  nothing  and  leave  no  aumbs.  On  the  Other 
hand,  probably  consuhng  theii  stomachs  iu  privation  by  memory  of  poat  teabts  and 
||>|ri'spects  of  more,  our.  red  brothers  support  themselves  with  great  forucuds. 

h'.vtwithstaiidiug  the  quantity  before  tlio.-n,  tlie  chiefs  did  not  prutuag  the  nie»l, 
U'hich  was  over  iu  fifteen  minutes  oi  su.  I'tie  crier  came  up  ftoai  wiMuc  tic  vt-js 
watching  and  liasded  Uie  lighted  piuc. 

The  other  warriors,  having  lini!>ned  breaking  (heir  fast,  rollet!  (hntiselves  up  in 
their  wraps  awl  went  olf  lu  a  doM  by  tbe  hies.  Such  sleeping,  cwitig,  during, 
hunting,  and  fighting  forms  their  lit'«». 

For  two  guoit  hums  all  but  lite  thice  leaders  seemed  reposing,  and  they  never 
shifted  their  positions. 

At  about  eleven  o'clock  the  galley  of  several  horses  was  audible  at  &  distance. 
The  crier  rose  and  hastuied  to  llie  entrance  of  the  palisadoed  camp. 

Coming  up  swdily,  be  peiceived  three  Indians  mounted.  Thirywere  aimed  for 
wt.1,  juid  by  the  foxtails  on  tiielr  leggings  and  by  the  ney  eagle  feather  i»iuck 
upiigbt  over  the  left  ear,  one  could  conclude  they  vrere  chiefs.  They  reined  in  when 
they  arritred  at  the  enclosure  of  pikes.  The  principal,  as  was  siMwn  by  |iis  keeping 
s  ?hadc  in  advance  of  the  utheis,  lifted  hia  right  (laiio  open,  the  palm  outwards. 
the  four  Angers  kept  together,  and  tlie  thumb  bent  in.  The  hagesto  made  tbe  same 
sign,  and,  going  up  nearer,  saluted  the  new  comers  respei^fuliy  enoagh,  eiaA  *n  % 


M 


ft^tt  hear  from  Cliej^bfe  £UL 


101 


ef"^  autuol  animal 
a  baiuact,  cxuec-iely 
ur  eiiwjgiii-  Ovtrr  4iiU 
ercia9iB«({''menof  »ht 
Wo  haw«  only  w  ■vJ'l 
iith  Aiaericatt  savage 
[  hU  tewrence,  HiouijU, 
But  tite  sujjcf-sacrwl 
[hi«  is  ciioscii  among 
ut»,  cbiU  it  woulU  be 

beat  wsis  their  great 

home 

uis  ww«  rather  Ja*ily 
[tcM  atK  uKudtly  turned 

lierwiae  Jtfended  by  • 
— ••  and  smell  xo,  |>ah  l" 
IS.  At  the  dooi  o{  his 
wilh  a  Ijeloie-breakidbt 
jiefa  «o«»  by  liiro  with 
ir  fill,  iltey  were  takcu  w 
i  Uie  eue  lot  ttie  ""^VfL 

txfi  of  still  fitah  meaS,' 
huatiny,  •»>'  IniUan  tuiu 
X  with  in*at-|KiM»lt»  and 
al«o  the  butler.  When 
ints  to  g^iiat  l>y  him  asid 
lipcn,  and  aJl  three  wtiit 
lave  lelished  the  spreaa, 
,  but  ail  iBilian  la  not 
ab&oibmg  ma  incredible 
laumbs.  On  the  Wiser 
cniory  ot  paat  SeasU  and 
great  forutudc. 
id  not  protiug  «he  meal, 
:  up  lioiu  mbctt  be  wus 

,f,  rollttl  thnmselviM  «»|i  in 
sleeping,  esBiHg,  Uoiing, 

reposing,  and  they  never 

as  audibk  «t  ft  dlMance. 
ed  cami>. 

!d.  Tht-y  wetc  aimed  few 
mtf  eagle  feather  «iudc 
cfii.  They  reintil  in  i^he* 
was  shown  by  his  kccpiMg 
jpen,  the  palm  oiKwards, 
lie  hagcBto  made  the  8an« 
^(uliy  enough,  ajod  *a  S. 


low,  meMured  voice,  inquired  their  business.     Bdag  answered,  he  saluted  again, 
and  returneit  into  the  camp  ^)»i^h  his  information. 

Red  Knifr  listenetf  to  the  story  In  an  unco.->cerned  manner,  but  he  srdeKdr  tn« 
visitors  to  be  &hown  to  him. 

At  the  sound  of  the  horses  the  warriors  had  awakened.  The  oatermost  went  to 
take  the  horses  from  the  guesU  who  alighted.  These  then  were  ushered  up  to  tho 
trio  of  commanders,  who  eyed  them  coldly.  The  other  three  were  in  ftghuuff  dress, 
bat  were  not  painted  in  accordance. 
'  •'  My  brothers  ate  welcome,"  remarked  Red  Knife.  "  Ahneroekee  being  a  great 
Chief  in  his  nation,  he  shall  take  his  place  beside  his  brother  the  Piegan,  and  smok« 
the  peace-pipe." 

Ahnemekee,  for  it  was  the  Crow  chief,  bowed  pleaaedly  at  the  compliment 
squatted  down,  and  took  the  pipe.  For  a  while  the  calumet  went  the  round. 
Etiquette  directs  that  the  guests  must  speak  first  and  may  not  bs  questioned.  The 
pipe  ended  with  Ahnemekee,  who  knocked  out  the  ashes  on  his  nail  and  offered 
them  ceremoniously  to  the  ear;h  whence  the  tobacco  bad  come,  and  thereupon, 
bending  toward  ReJ  Knife  with  a  wimiing  smile,  wished  him  plenty  of  buffiUo  and 
success  in  killing  bear. 

With  the  same  bland  smile,  Red  Knife  returned  the  compliment. 
"  Unluckily,"  added  he,  "  game  is  scarce.    The  wilderness  is  getting  swamprd 
with  'the  hatted  men' — (Indians ar«  *elf-dist»iiguished  as  batless)— the  fMither- 
bea.ds  get  only  their  leavings." 

"  Ye?,"  returned  the  Crow,  emboldened  at  no  allusion  being  made  to  the  old..*ime 
enmity  between  the  Crows  and  the  Biackfcet  nation,  "  nat  only  do  the  l^ng  Knives 
capture  the  game  as  if  it  grew  for  them  alone,  but  the  axe  and  the  plough  lessen 
the  domains  of  oar  fathers.  Soon  will  we  be  crowded  J  gainst  the  rocks,  and  there 
shjil!  we  die  in  saow  and  ice  for  want  of  food.  My  heart  aches  to  think  of  the 
miseries  awai  ig  the  0'nishiniba--a\\  Indians.  As  I  submit,  it  seems  to  me  my 
bkJOd  is  weakened  with  water,  that  the  marrow  in  my  bones  is  swamp  mad,  that 
my  eyes  ate  dimmed  as  one  looking  through  the  glass  peepholes  in  the  stone  cabins. 
I  have  gon"!  into  setlusion  for  eight  days  and  there  asked,  asked,  asked  if  the  just 
Great  Spirit  has  really  allowed  the  pate  faces  to  do  what  they  like  with  what  wc 
deemed  our  very  own." 

"  My  brother  is  a  wise  warriOT,"  «aid  the  Piegan,  sonowfally.  "  The  speech 
ftwa  his  straight  tongue  chimes  in  with  the  Voice  that  speaks  to  me  in  my  medita- 
tion. Spea'  on,  speak  on,  Ahnemekee— I  hear  not  a  Crow  Indian,  but  one  trf  the 
whole  red  s     !.■ — it  b  a  frienUi/  ear  that  drinks  in  his  wtwds." 

•'  Right !  the  chain  of  brotherhood  still  endures,  and  tboagh  time  has  cankered 
it,  it  is  strong  under  the  rust  When  Yohemah  brought  our  fathers  from  the  Zyi 
of  the  sky,  O,  glorious  Sun,  that  warms  the  red  man  and  conserves  his  meat,  tncn 
the  Wacondah  showed  them  the  woods,  lakes,  streams,  and  prairies,  and  bade  hioi 
'Take,  all  Is  thine!'  The  warrior  bowed  to  the  Guide,  and  tharjked  Him,  Thwe 
was  no  white  men  then,  they  bad  not  come  over  the  Alieghanies  u>  be  our 
tormentors,  our  robbers,  our  stayers,  with  the  fire  in  great  guns.  But  the  red  men 
fell  out  with  one  another,  and  would  isot  see  thcK  was  room  for  all.  The  Great 
Spirit  brought  the  pale  faces  hither  to  perplat  thtm  and  punish  them.  Soon  dki 
they  scatter  them,  setting  the  Blackftet-Sloux  against  the  Mountain  Blackfwt,  tho 
Crows  against  the  Bloods.  But  still,  the  rcdskir**  h&vi  learnt  the  new  kind  of 
warfare.  We  have  horses  and  weapons.  All  the  rouie-of-flight  of  the  Slous  through 
the  Veltowstouc  was  strewn  with  ttic  eai-kh  of  the  arras  they  couW  not  carryt  and 
CfQWi  and  Blackfest  have  da"  them  up,  Rnd  have  been  buying  powder  and  ball 
with  iheit  furs. 
''•Ha  hour  of  revenge  has  come,  tejtber— I  speak  it !    Wliy  should  we  not  ali 


4 


104 


n«  Rtd  Botr  HaySned, 


pMfit  by  it  ?  Anrt  if  we  must  wrangle  nnd  clapperclaw  among":  curscltcs,  Ui  it 
be  orer  the  spoil  of  the  dead  whires,'  said  he,  subdy.  "  Hunting  I  For  m  week 
yna  have  laid  here  entpiy.handed,  whilst  I  have  pillaged  a  train  and  armed  my 
men  finely.  It  is  true  we  have  come  off  second  best  in  an  encounter  with 
anolhei  band  of  intruders,  but  it  was  the  anoW'Storm  that  dr'>ve  os  off.  Let  us 
uitNe  and  overwhelm  these  Northerners,  and  then  crush  out  the  prairie  pirates  from 
the  i;old  minea.  What  does  my  l>rother  thinli  of  my  words .'  I'here  ftie  no  more 
to  come." 

'*  My  brother  speaks  to  the  point,  Ms  words  fall  on  mine  ear  as  sweetly  as 
the  tagWi  MTeam,  swoopin{e^  upon  its  prey  in  its  mate's  hearing^.  The  Picg^aa 
braves  Are  not  here  to  run  buffa'io  and  follow  deer.  They  are  (gathered  to  drive  the 
geld-seeliersintogfraves.  Bat  what  can  so  small  a  f«rce  do,  however  bold  and 
cunning  i     It  is  a  chief  who  asks  this.     Let  his  brother  aitSvYer." 

"  Red  Knife  is  wise,  thouijh  his  hsir  is  t>laek.  It  is  his  wisdom  that  b  Qref. 
.Mmemrkee  will  gc  to  the  Bloods,  the  Small  Robes,  the  Blacfcfeet,  and  the  Oacotaha. 
They  will  <*t>y  against  the  paleface  robbers  and  butchers.  The  hiitchet  wilt  be 
baried  tta  agsiin:,L  the  red  men  on  ail  aides,  but  the  buitdle  of  reeds,  one  for  each 
tribe,  will  be  hurled  within  tlv  white  men's  camps.  In  four  suns  after  this, 
hundreds  of  red  wani^is  ./i!!  gladly  greet  Red  Knife  at  Elk's  Lean,  at  the  fifth  hoar 
of  the  night." 

<■  II  it  be  not  contrary  te  the  will  of  the  Mastw  of  Life,  the  Knife- pointed>with» 
Blood  will  be  at  tl'c  Elk's  Leap." 

It  was  as  mut^  of  an  aec^anoe  as  the  Crow  had  antidpatrd.  He  row,  and 
.  vras  euorted  to  his  horse  by  the  sachem,  whose  companions  wers  ainilaily  polite 
to  the  other  Crows. 

The  camp  buezH  with  a  deltaic  over  the  visit  and  the  pledee,  but  vras  settling 
down  to  fresh  calm  when,  about  an  ht>ur  aftct  Ahuemekce^  .iitappearaDoe,  an 
eveitt  oQcaned  stUl  mofe  stirring. 


CHAPTER  XXVL 

THB    ALL-POWiarOL   IIISLSII. 

A  LOUD  noise  was  beard  in  the  sVirt  of  the  woodland,  of  which  the  outer  brush  caffie 
gently  down  to  the  opening  of  the  vale,  where  tl)c  Piegans  weic  kxlged.  As  the 
anund  came  nearer  it  assumed  the  dimensioiis  of  a  downright  torault.  Besides  the 
dattcr  of  hoofs,  there  was  tht  banging  of  heavy  articles  against  tiie  saplings,  which 
t^ang  back  angrily,  the  squealing  of  mules,  aud  many  raodom  shots  of  pistols  and 
rifles.  The  latter  made  the  Indians  the  more  disquieted,  as  dtie  screen  of  bonghs  long 
hid  the  cause.  . 

At  Red  Knife's  order  ^  laa  ^h  their  anns  to  the  debnoes,  whilst  some  got  their 
tkGHT.tea  ready  at  a  secret  omiet,  in  ease,  this  l>eiag  an  auack,  ti^  might  mah  round 
dowik  upon  their  camp  and  pay  them  back  in  their  own  coiii. 

Two  young  men  were  sent  out  as  scouts,  but  they  had  hardly  left  beiiHC  a  whole 
Stiiag  of  persoos  <uid  animais  emerged  fkora  the  forest  with  giddy  rapidity.  In  tlie 
van  w&s  a  mounted  man,  on  a  mare,  who  did  not  in  the  least  siackcii  tils  furious 
IMfie,  tlMHigb  turning  every  little  wbils  to  fire  bis  fateecb-loading  tlfi*.    He  wetc  an 


ig«'  curseUcs,  Kt  It 
ling  I  For  •  week 
ain  and  armed  mv 
an  encounter  wtch 
ntt  us  off.  Let  a* 
prairie  piiales  from 
I'here  are  no  more 

ear  as  sweetly  as 

ring.    The  Piegan 

ithered  to  drive  the 

however  bote)  and 

sdom  that  is  QTVf, 
t,  and  the  Dacotahs. 
"he  hiitchet  will    be 

rced»,  one  for  each 
DUr  suns  after  this, 
.eap,  at  the  fifth  hoar 

Knife-  painted- with* 

patrd.    He  rose,  and 
were  aimibily  polite 


Ige,  but  was  scttUng 
s^  Jitappearaooe,  aa 


h  the  outer  brush  came 
were  lodged.  As  tbs 
t  tufuult.  Besides  the 
kst  t)ie  saplings,  which 
}m  shots  of  pistols  and 
;  screen  of  boughs  long 

»,  whilst  setae  got  their 
hi^  nugbt  man  round 

irdly  left  befuc  a  whole 
giddy  rapidity.  In  the 
ist  siackcii  his  furious 
ling  rifle.    He  wore  aa 


The  All-Potverfkl  EmlUm. 


Indinn  itmn,  aivl  it  wa«  reasonahiy  6«irniised  that  he.  was  a  diief,  bat  >>)«  distance 
and  the  dust  that  sprang  up  from  the  alkali  stretches  sroung  ttie  scrub  outcids  ifae 
forest  prevented  particulars  being  defined  of  his  tribe,  or  even  lus  naiioa. 

He  was  followed  by  a  girl  in  a  sort  of  pannier  scat  on  a  large  Aset  mule.  A 
mantle  envelope  I  her,  but  the  wind  flapped  it  back,  so  that  her  sex  was  discernible 
a*  far  as  her  attire  and  her  mode  cf  tiding  revealed.  Behind  her,  separated  by  such 
▼nried  spaces  as  the  diffl  rences  in  tlieir  speed  under  InirJens  apportioned,  six  or  eight 
beasts  of  burden  r;.'«hcd.  As  in  their  mad  course  through  'he  woods  their  packs 
had  been  kn'Xked  abou",  pulled  partly  off,  slewed  to  one  side  or  under  the  bellies,  or 
even  trailing  after  by  the  lashings,  every  now  and  then  one  would  be  brought  tu  a 
sudden  stop,  or  hurled  into  a  natural  pit-hole  half  full  of  dr,ca.yed  leaves  and  nteitiug 
snow.    The  squalUngs  would  redouble  at  these  disasters. 

After  tl)<  se  fugitives  upwards  of  a  dozen  horsemen  came  racing.  Some  waved 
laiiats,  or  snapped  whips,  to  cow  the  runaways  into  a  pause,  or  to  swerve  from 
bti  dly  following  the  leaders  {  some  were  uaing  their  guns  at  the  foremost  of  this 
quevr  procession.  But,  though  they  stopped  to  take  aim,  they  were  not  so  expert  or 
fortunate  as  he.     Ttie  pursuers  were  Red  River  Half-hreeds. 

The  pack  animals  did  luM clear  the  woo  I;  the  scrub  was  more  entangling  than 
the  large  growth,  and  they,  at  all  events,  were  captuied  as  they  struggled  after  tltcir 
harness  was  ciuglit. 

The  tw  >  fugitives,  on  deboucliing  upon  the  open  ground,  were  in  extreme  peril. 
They  had  the  river  to  cross  under  fiie.  Neveithelcss,  they  did  not  seem  discouraged. 
At  least,  the  dark-complexioned  man  drove  the  !a<iy's  mule  into  che  water,  and 
I  alting  himself  on  the  bank  arst,  fired  five  shots  almost  as  quickly  as  one  into  the 
liiiu  of  punUters,  of  which  each  emptied  a  saddle.  Tne  remainder  liowled  with  rage, 
and,  f  jiced  to  stop  among  the  riderless  and  plunging  steeds,  discharged  all  tlieir 
guns  at  the  daring  coverer  of  the  girl's  crossing. 

Tne  lattei  brandished  his  repeating  rifle  around  his  head,  as  if  his  warrior-liku 
exultation  was  uncontrollable ;  an  act  alone  denouncing  him  as  no  pure  white.  He 
tlfen  j.i;>bed  his  heels  into  the  flanks  of  the  mare,  which  leaped  in  a  beautiful  curvu 
into  (he  river.     In  tlie  leap  he  uttere<t  a  war-cry  iww  to  that  region  t 

"  If^uLn-whoa-tuhoo ! "  and  it  still  resounded  when  be  re-appeared  attove  the 
suiface  af  er  the  plunge. 

't'he  mule  was  floundering,  the  girl  clinging  to  it  with  nail  and  tooth,  so  to  say. 
But  the  mare,  being  directed  to  a  shriving  pan  of  the  other  bank,  the  mule 
whinnied,  pnd  huriied  to  climb  out  also. 

The  two  gallopped  on  towards  the  Piegan  encampment  at  full  speed,  letting  the 
muddy  Water  drip  off  them  as  it  pleased.  On  seeing  the  Indians  watching  them, 
the  horseman,  whose  buffalo  robe  had  been  washed  away  in  the  stream,  shouted  in 
a  high,  clear  voice  in  Algonquin,  tlie  must  generally  understood  languag^e  among 
the  pure  Indians  north : 

"  A  brother  I " 

:**  Ho,  ho,  ho  I  "  roared  the  Piegans,  clapping  their  hands  joyfully. 

Red  Knife  dashed  out  of  the  shelter,  having  gazed  with  admiration  on  their  bold, 
bravo  flight,  and  neat  shooting  at  full  s|>«ed.  At  the  announoemeBt  <d  the  new 
arrival,  lie  waved  his  mantle  in  ihe.sign  of  welconoe,  and  called, 

"Come  to  our  bosom  I " 

Tne  t«o  fugitives  dashed  up  the  gentle  slope  to  the  camp  ingress. 

In  the  meaniime,  the  pttrsue(;5,  having  secured  the  pack-aiiicriais  and  the  riderless 
horses,  as  well  as  seen  to  the  wounded,  came  on  apace,  ha\'ing  momentarily  lost 
sight  of  their  objects.  On  crossing  the  frothy  stream  they  briield  them  cailetincr 
info  the  Piecan  camp.  Tiiey  were  c.nvulsed  with  imroteiit,rat'e  as  t'ley  pulto!  up 
Siuaitiy.    iiluwiy  liiejr  cotiiinucd  theif  match,  oitly  five  at  tiwrn  uuw. 


io6 


y«»  EtKl  liher  ffttlf-Bned. 


Bat  as  fifty  htaiant  meaalcd  and  to&  out  hotrt  the  e/nrmcbmciit*,  th«y  iKoipH 
afrMh  to  ooniult.  Ai  length  an«  lodc  oot  n(  ihc  mai*  and  mada  the  aifn  of  peaec 
Thrre  was  no  rrply  foi  two  or  three  minutM.  But  the  llalt-brMd  waa  not  to  b«  ao 
easily  dUh(afler.<<l,  and  mrkinf;  the  rgn  again,  cried  out  In  Chinook  that  ha  WM  a 
friend  of  the  reil  man,  who  reque*t<d  a  heartng  of  their  luiers. 

It  waa  Red  Knife,  who  haughtily  demanded  the  grounda  (or  his  reqnett. 

"  "n»  an  'mportant  matter  for  the  chiefs  <.wn  ear." 

"  Good  I  Let  the  huniet  wail,"  and  measured  off  on  the  aky  lo  maity  iiriniitM 
with  tiis  torclingfer. 

The  parleyers  were  forced  to  oubmit.  But  they  were  galled  on  perceiving  why  the 
delay  was  impoaad.  Some  forty  of  itie  Plegans,  stealing  out  of  the  secret  g^te,  had 
gone  over  the  liver  and  wcie  about  surtoutiding  the  wounded  meti  and  the  laaaotd 
h<irses.  The  Red  River  Rovers  gazed  at  one  another  "  like  crabs  in  a  net,"  ail  eyea 
prptrarting;  but  knowing  the  kind  of  (oik  they  were  dealing  with,  they  bad  ta 
pretend  tranquillity. 

As  soon  an  Red  Knile  believed  that  hit  instructions  were  consummated,  he  waved 
liis  hand  to  the  paiieycr,  who  was  eyeing  him  anxiously, 

"  My  frieniia  are  welcome.     Let  (our  of  them  <x>mt  into  the  camp  unarmed.* 

AM  reaiatance  was  useless.  One  oolitary  l^aK-brecd  was  le(t  in  charge  of  the 
Ave  horses  and  hia  comrades'  arms  on  the  river  brink.  All  he  could  do,  if  the 
Mhtrs  were  ticacherously  murdereiii  was  make  a  breastwork  of  the  quadiupcda  and 
fire  away  lo  hi^  last  shot,  and  iticn  he  slain. 

Red  Knife  and  his  lieutenants  rec.ived  the  crestfallen  Canadians  cootteeusly,  and 
conducted  them  s'ilenily  to  the  council  lire,  The^  the  Piegans  sat  (town  and  invited 
their  guests  to  do  likewise.  During  the  long  silence  that  ensued  the  entrapped 
ones  looked  well  about  them.  The  two  fu^iiives  had  shaken  themselves  reasonably 
dry,  exchangeil  their  wet  outer  gorme-its  (or  dry  one»  and  were  warming  themselvea 
at  the  piicRls'  holy  fire  in  tlie  medicine  lodge,  wlietc  the  totem-pole  waa  (landing 
■sntry,  aoto  ttay,  over  the  tribal  aik  wkhin. 

"  Why  have  the  palefaces  come  into  my  camp  ?  "  inquired  the  Piegan  at  length,  in 
•  stem  vtiice.  "What  is  the  iKwa  f  or  %i»t  Thete  is  no  couitnuit  tie  between  the 
palefaces  and  the  Blackfer*  ' 

The  tone,  like  the  qi  vn,  was  not  amicable.  Moreover,  the  hunters  had 
iKticed  that  tlie  pipe  had  iiut  been  uleroil  them,  so  that  they  kuew  they  wetc  bciog 
treated  as  enemirs,  not  as  mrte  Miangerscvcn. 

The  tcailer  uf  the  Hnl  Ki»er  Malf-breciU  waa  their  capt^  himself.    He  was 
•upportetl   by   David   Sieelder,  to  whom    Kidd    '.las  alluded   aa  an   undesirable 
-actjuaihtaiice,  wiiiitt  Margottct  was  guaidutg  ttie  hoiacs  aitd  wcaiKHis  aa  one  in  a 
'"  mo«l  trostworlhy  and  ticklish  |K:st. 

Steetdcf  was  a  »tudt,  neiculean  fellow,  with  flaming  ,e>i  hair  and  beard,  though 
his  eyes  were  daik.  But  they  so  squinted,  and  Hhified  their  point  o(  view  so 
frequently,  that  most  would  not  have  renimkud  this  inoirnpatibility.  He  alone 
'round  on  the  led  nticn  with  the  bile  curiuMty  of  one  whose  bi^tin  waa  cimsested 
nlny. 

1  4  was  too  learned  in  Indian  ways  luit  to  appicdate  the  hostility  of  the  ' 
_^^,>'i(ifr,    dot  he  was  teailcss,  cunning, ana  accdMuraed  to  meet  emeigeoctes 

^irW^''  .^''  ;hing. 

h    e  walketi  into  the  Picgan  camp  to  sit  at  the  council  fire,"  he  said,  firmly,' 
V^^-'   ,.'01  in  a  lequesi  that   my  icu  broUici*  aie  n<Jt  the  fools  to  throw  aside 

Piegans  are  wise,  and  they  can  juiS^e  anything  laid   before  them,*' 
fBBpfmdol  Red  Knife,  emphMically. 

"  I  iinow  vciy  wcU  wluU  ihe  fkgans  ate  iike,"  wtait  cm  Dagard,  who  placed  no 


tetL 


emrcncbmcftt*,  th«y  umi.pcd 
tnd  mada  ihs  aigrn  ol  peaflc. 
Ilalt-brccd  wm  not  to  b«  to 
>ur  In  Chinook  that  h«  wM  • 

inlets. 

U  fur  hU  rrqaeat. 

n  the  akjr  10  many  mhtutn 

g^lM  on  perotivinx  whjr  th« 

If;  out  of  the  srcret  gate,  had 

numted  meti  and  the  laa«o«d 

like  crnba  in  a  net,"  all  eyca 

dealing  with,  they  had  to 

ere  conNummated,  he  waved 

y- 

nto  the  camp  unarmed.'* 
■4  was  left  in  charge  of  the 
r>k.     All  he  couM  do,  if  the 
tvrork  of  th«  quadi  upcda  and 

Canadian!  couiteeuiljr,  awl 
Regans  sat  down  and  invited 
tx  that  ensued  the  entrapped 
haken  themselves  reasonably 
ml  were  warming  themselves 
the  iGtem.pole  was  landing 

uired  the  Piegan  at  length,  in 
I  no  coiumoii  tie  between  the 

Moreover,  the  hunters  had 
Lt  they  knew  they  were  betug 

!ir  captain  himseif.    He  was 

atiujed   as  an   undesirable 

acs  aihl  weapons  as  one  in  a 

^  ted  hair  and  beard,  though 
lifted  their  point  ol  view  so 
I  inoumpatibility.  He  alone 
lie  wliosa  biain  was  constated 

appreciate  the  hostility  of  tha 
stunted  to  meet  emergencies 

council  fire,"  he  said,  Armly/ 
not  the  hxAa  (o  throw  aMide 

anything  taUl  before  them,*' 

It  OH  Da^itd,  wht>  placed  no 


T^r'n-.r  ,ful  Emtlem, 


107 


waniors,  and  m  claim  jostle,  wli< 


tMith  whairvarr  in  ItWR;.    "TNv  ar« 
fkralrie  tew  wiinf ringed,  is  tn  grt  it." 

The  chieNi  bowe'^i  it  was  (iatialnf  to  be  taken  for  arbUratcrs,  and,  besMeSi  tiM 
prairie  and  .Tnountain  arbitrator  is  entitled  to  t£ke  payment  oat  o'  «!ie  property  in 
dispute.    &«  rEntbarfasaeur  cnii'.inued  as  jauntily  as  if  he  felt  secure  now. 

''IhavTMUK  .  aoonfidi'iice  in  my  red  brother  that  I  hnv«  put  asideall  toa  tooth' 
pick  to  cnimc  rig*  r  m  among  ye.  Besides,  there's  no  blood  frud  between  the  Half* 
breeda  of  Manitoba  and  the  BUckfevt  nation  that  ever  I  heard  of.  Tin  hatchet 
never  -vas  used  against  cither  in  the  other's  hand.  Why,  then,  stKiald  I  want  to 
sit  down  vxiiih  the  knife  in  my  girdle,  as  you  carry  yours  i  If  I  liar)  bean  yonr  fbe— • 
wtiy,  i  ha«B  a  good  crowd  left  after  a  hot  brush  with  the  Crows  tliat  would  have 
been  endroi^  rubbed  out  but  for -the  blizzard  breaking  up  the  evening's  amusement  t 
but  I  haviuii'i  come  in  any  force.     I  knew  perfectly  well  that  1  was  meeting  frWmds. 

There  vwas  a  silence.  The  Indians  were  clearly  aware  that  ttte  Catuidian  bad 
been  a  tau^yh  bone  lor  Ahnemekee,  and  that  the  rctnaiiKler  of  his  troop  was  nog 
despicablk;.  They  had  not  Winchester  rifles  such  as  that  wliich  so  rapidly  disposed 
of  lik't'  am  owner's  pursuers,  and  hoped  no  such  rare  fortune. 

"Thiis'is  the  poiiu,"  concluded  Dagard,  wi.h  an  angry  glance  rt  the  girl  and  bev 
dshntHm  at  the  sacred  fire  of  the  sanctuaryt  "  my  naen  and  I,  on  the  open  grountlV 
Oaptirwil  that  white  woman  and  some  stampeded  animals  that  followed  her  mule  ; 
wbeniiD  cnt  this  renegade  Hall^.breed,  on  a  mare  that  called  away  her  mnk^ 
and  assay  went  the  wliole  outfit,  heker>skelter.  A  stampede  is  fair  enough — but  not 
tteaahery.  Either  this  Half-btred  stands  up  for  one  colour  or  the  ether — red  or  whkei, 
H  h*iuints  with  the  red,  why,  >  -n  red.  Ttie  Red  River  Half-breeds  never  yet  beid 
for  #«  King  George's,  or  the  Yankees.  And  he  should  have  let  my  prizes  alone. 
Or,  if  he  is  a  friend  to  the  whites,  either  those  gold-seekers  or  the  mountain  irapper>:. 
he  is  uur  foe.  I  claim  the  girl,  I  claim  the  mongrel  whom  no  race  owns.  My 
brujItiDr  sliatl  decide.     That's  my  say." 

All  eyes  were  turned  towards  the  fugitive,  who  was  now  carelessly  leaning  a^ainse 
the  xotcm.pole.  The  girl  trembled  with  col<; ;  he  was  steady  us  the  f  taff  !t»rl.'. 
TUr  sachem  beckoned  him  ibither,  and  (!arted  '  suspicious  glance  on  hitn,  inas- 
mnota  as,  HaK-btoed  for  Half-bleed,  there  waj  nothing  to  vary  the  seniles  betwaem 
(bcra. 

" There  is  an  accusation,  brother..   What  is  the  defence  ?"  he  asked. 

The  other  smiled  scornfully,  bw  making  an  effort  over  himself,  he  answered  railingly, 
"  la  the  land  of  my  forefathers  the  mocking-bird  was  often  heard,  but  I  little  thought 
to  hear  its  deceitful  voice  hereabouts.  To  what  tribe  does  this  patchwork  man 
helosyf  that  he  dares  class  roc  with  such  as  he  ?  i  am  a  Sagamore  I  But  look  kt 
bis  tIk'tTi — is  it  white,  is  it  red,  is  it  even  yellow?  Car  he  name  his  fhther  among 
reei>  renowned  in  battle  i  Can  he  name  his  mother  ?  Some  white  thief;  kicked  nut 
of  Use  frontier  whisky-r'wm,  and  some  squaw  who  bangs  round  the  ports,  these 
were  his  priigeniturs,  and  they  shrank  from  ownin;^' him  I  By  what  right  does  he 
raise  his  vcice  in  a  council  of  dog-soldisis,  eldersi,  hallowed  men  who  have  beer*, 
iiiitiatted  in  tl)tr  inner  circle  m  secrets  handed  down  from  days  when,  from  the  White 
Ridgi  fonder  to  the  Blue  Ridge  (ihe  Alleghanies)  there,  noiw  but  pure  reti  met; 
trod  tlie  Vtar-pa'S,  and  f  ,hcd  and  hunted.  Because  he  commands  a  string  cf  curi. 
My  os^4ion  is  the  ghon  of  what  it  was,  bat  we  tsiiv.  whip  the  Red  River  mcnjgrels 
any  (£ay!  We  ":e  the  CherokeesI  I  am  a  first-chief  among  th«<a—-i  mu 
Quoritmah,  the  Raven,  and  I  wear  the  treasured  T)tem  t " 

80  s|icakin^,  with  a  voice  t^at  grew  thundercus  v/ith  pride,  Bill  Williams,  for  this 
was  the  id'ji,  rtp|ied  off  the  wet  woollen  shir:  coverittg  his  breast  fo  tlie  Wkist  heh. 
On  his  l/^som  max  tattooed  the  "  GteM  Rou.^d  O,"  as  the  ignorairt  call  it,  wbk^^ 
however,  by  its  rays,  aignifiM  ti^  Sun.    It  wM^Mfta  in  pitch  piue  »jix  piicked  in 


ii^MW>^iM. 


,iAJ 


jfo8 


The  Btd  Mier  Hair-Breed. 


And  only  the  high>clau  Cbetolcee,  the  very  hapired  ones  Chur  a  iagea,  or  *'  fire<  " 
filkd,"  arc  po  tattooed.    If  by  chance  any  foolish  or  wicked  youn«r  man  attempted 
e«en  a  rude  imita'ion,  the  elder*  woyld  corub  the  marks  oat  of  hi?:  skin  with  green 
corn  juice  to  the  very  qu)Ck«  and  then  he  raig^ht  think  he  bad  ffot  off  lightly  for  the 
MCrilege. 
The  sun  is  an.  emblem  understood  Mtd  respected  almost  all  over  the  two  Americas. 
"A  Son  ol  the  Sacied  Fire!  "  cr  >  1  the  chiefs,  Ljw^rijr  with  rcve.cnce. 
•'Cherokee  Bill,  the  mate  of  Jim  Kidgfc  the  mounriin  man,"  sneered  Dagard. 
'*  Yes,  I  am  the  Cherokee.     My  father  was  made  a  chief  of  rhe  nation  before  me. 
li  ever  I  conae  to  the  stake,  «md  I  am  bled  to  the  last  drop  in  my  body,  nothing 
will  have  Issoed  iiut  red  blood  t     Well,  1  am  tboasands  of  miles  from  the  home  and 
graves  of  my  fathers— am  I  among  brothers  nr  fo«a?  " 
Red  Knife  rose  and  '^>wed  to  the  speaker,  answering  t 

"  We  have  heard  none  but  a  Cherokee  speak.  The  place  of  the  Sagamore -is  in 
mf  stead.  Lm  him  command  at  the  council  fire,  and  all  thiu  hete  snrround  os  will 
obey  bim  to  the  letter.  Wisdom  is  in  the  Sun  of  Fire,  and  the  Grea'.  Syirii  loves 
him.    To  no  one  need  he  give  an  account  cf  his  doings." 

With  a  dignity  that  struck  all  beholders,  the  Cherokee  sat  in  th«  place  Red 
Knife  vacat->d,  and  lifting  his  hand  to  entreat  silence,  said  gravely-^ 

"I  (hank  my  broclier  for  not  having  required  any  explanation  from  me;  but  my 
tongue  is  not  forked,  and  my  honour  eiacu  uiy  Piegis*  soi»  being  judges  between 
this  Canadian  and  me.  The  young  woman  whom  you  soc  yonder  was  the  captive  of 
the  grold-seekers,  commanded  by  Captain  Kidd,  whose  nauiie  smells  bad  in  the  nose  of 
honest  Indians  on  the  border.  She  escaped  en  the  mule,  ana  fell  across  the  path  of 
these  Red  Rivor  Rovers.  Yes,  she  would  have  been  ti.cir  fair  capture  if  they  weie 
independent.  But  that's  nut  so.  Thsy  are  allied  with  Captain  Kidd,  and  this 
detachment  was  going  to  join  him  v'hen  they  met  the  fugitiw.  Being  one  ami  the 
same,  any  enemy  had  the  right  to  cut  in  and  cue  out  tbe  prise.  1  did  so.  Who  is 
In  the  right P     He?" 

"  No  1 "  r«asponded  the  unanimous  voi«. 
•'  Will  lie  even  deny  my  stateraenl?" 

Dagard,  insolently  enough  and  impudeuiy,  too,  ctmataering  be  had  no  w«apon&, 
yt&A  chatting  with  his  ttiree  adherents. 
"  He  cannot  deny." 

"  Your  conduct  is  r^ht.  Tha  tiaitors  are  (heae  Red  Ritar  Hal{>brced  dogs,  for 
aUying-  thems^Sves  with  a  bandit  who  respeas  neithei  red  nor  white,  andthe^i  cumes 
to  a  red  skin  c  i  cup  and  asks  help  and  favour  as  being  a  ted  man  himself." 

"Goi"  said  Cherokee  Bill,  with  acorn  so  wichcring  that  the  Indians  did  dm 
xi^ti  the  four  scalps  thus  rejected,  and  Dagar't  felt  no  joy  at  the  deliverance, 
'•  $bQald  your  feet  take  root  here,  you  will  be  trees  cut  down  for  tlie  night  fire  I  The 
girl  is  free  1  Until  you  cross  that  stream,  you  are  neither  foe  nor  friend,  merely  dogs 
kkked  out  of  camp  i    Co,  it  is  a  chief  that  speaks." 

llic  Embarrasseur  seemed  too  much  embarroased  himself  this  time  to  even  lift 
hia  head.  Stccldcr  squinted  horriMy  as  lie  shrunk  past  the  Ctierakee.  The  tour 
Canadians  hasteneii  to  join  the  Ueuteiwnt,  impatiently  holding  the  horses,  and, 
nwunti.ig  rapidly,  they  rushed  over  the  river.  The  Piegan  party  had  contcnieii 
tiMmsch-es  with  e:  amining  tht  pack  animals,  the  dead  -ml  wounded,  under  titdtis 
Id  some  way  sigimlled  to  them  by  the  snn-flash  code.  Thr  >rialf-bTeedi  put  ibr' 
«nHMi4ed  on  the  beasts  of  burden  aad  doki&iUy  icturoed  to  their  csisp. 


If  a  dajrea,  or  *'  fii»- 

aang  man  attempted 

hit  skill  with  g^een 

ot  off  lightly  for  the 

vtt  the  two  Amecicas. 
reveicnce. 
'  siieered  Dagard. 
rhe  nation  before  me. 
in  my  body,  nothing 
from  the  home  and 


f  the  Sasfamore-is  in 
hete  surround  us  wilt 
the  Grea'.  S)><rit  bvet 

sat  in  th«  place  Red 

rely— 

tion  from  me;  but  my 
being  judges  between 
nrier  was  ttie  captive  of 
ritells  bad  in  the  noss  of 
fe'l  across  the  path  oi 
ir  capture  if  they  weie 
iptain  Kidd,  and  Uiis 
;.  Being  one  ami  the 
«.    1  did  so.     Who  is 


ig  lie  bad  no  wt»pun&. 


ST  Half-breed  do«rs,  for 
r  white,  and  thevi  cumes 
man  himself." 
A  the  lodisns  did  WA 
joy  at  the  deliverarce. 
or  the  night  fire  I  TUe 
nor  friend,  mcreiy  dogs 

elf  this  time  to  even  lift 
e  Ctierokee.  The  tour 
Wing  the  horses,  and, 
n  party  had  content  eii 
wounded,  under  otdcis 
M  niaU-tffeedt  pot  the 


if  Mottnlam  Man  is  IiL-in 


lAirTER    JOtVn. 


tA*  MoomraiM  mam  is  RB-inroncis. 


Tub  Plegan  captains  remained  squatted  at  the  council  fire,  thoughtfully  smolsing. 

After  directing  Uonna  Ro^rio,  (or  this  was  the  youAg  lady  whom  he  bad  saiiff 
Ironj  the  Manitobans'  clutches,  to  be  attended  to  in  a  hut  placed  wholly  at  her 
eenrice,  Cherokee  Bill  wrapp&l  hisaself  up  in  buffalo  robes  to  suam  himself  dry  a.-d 
drive  away  theuraatism.  The  others  respected  his  ouradve  wittidrawal  bom  the 
conversational  ci: vie,  bitt  <n4r>sod  some  anaie^  lest  his  catching  «old  should  spoil 
itisroice, 

Th*!  way  things  had  eorae  about  was  thus  :-— 

Ws  know  that  It  was  arranged  that  Donna  Rosario  should  be  pat  in  t^  | 
ot  a  riding  mule,  so  that  the  party  of  gold  seeicers  might  trawl  by  *  straiglt 
mad.  Mcan^Thile,  Filditch  and  Williams  were  hovering  about  them  as  ckiself^ 
they  dared,  cautiously  exchanging  brief  confidence  with  Joe  and  Dearborn  up  # 
ttw  otitioai  moment.  Then  the  Spanish  gitt  was  to  be  aided  by  tlie  two  frkaas  of 
Ridge. 

"nie  phn  was  so  simple  and  infaUibbi,  that  »he  girl  gieef uily  pOc^>tc«  it. 

Soon  a&er  the  itaeond  d&y's  start  in  this  order,  wltilst  the  nauloms  jrst  fr«sh, 
Filditch  and  his  companion  v^rang  on  two  outriders  aad  palk  1  thtm  to  t.,e  ground. 
Unfortunately.  Fcxface,  whom  the  Ca'.ifonaan  had   thrown,  was  up   again   hkft 
lighming  and  eosuMbered  Ae  other  as  he  was  trying  to  kHoant  in  the  warm  8ad(il|»^ 
The  re«uU  was,  that  Bill  was  on  hot ^eback  aad  tiding  alona  at  the  point  in  the  f 
where  he  could  take  Uosariu's  mule  by  '>t.  bridle. 

It  is  true  Filditch  kicked  tne  man  away,  but  the  delay  was  tuat    He  wa 
«iMnpelied  to  plunge  into  the  woods  at  the  sid^  of  the  ravine  where  this  ^tseuixed,  or 
be  the  target  for  twenty  rifle  shots.  ,  ;  ^ 

X>uring  th)."»  the  Chcrv;''«e  had  e .sac'tted  his  project.    Thanks  to  his  whoop,  «^^ 
set  the  attina^fc  eurvetiug,  and  the  increase  in  the  confusion  due  to  Joe,  Leon,:.' 
Ronald,  no  one  doiitd  s«£  an  cfitctoal  ehot  at  the  abductor  of  the  young  girl  as  (i| 
mo  dived  in  Rt  a  g»p  in  :hc  uml^wcad.  .' 

.  But  there  was  too  much  of  a  i/(cod  thing.     Rosario'a  mule  was  not  alone" 
•tiraction  mwards  the  coquctttsh  it»fe  which  the  Chcroke*  had  stolen.    A  nnvd 
of  the  animals  eet  up  a  cry  at  iIms  mar/s  w5,inny,  and  for  a  raommt  the  Ham? 
tbieateaed  t)  be  gaii-ral.    To  be  fcslt  without  a  bo-rf  ur   sr  them  in  the  wild  wtai^ 
Is  the  worst  twe  known  to  men  like  Kidd's  coroawid.    They  flew  to  vrork  with 
superhuiaan  activity,  dafing,  and   itreng«l>,   and  secured  most  of   the  frenzii 
animalr.     Sti'!,  a  doeen  i»d  tailad  o!T  after  BUI  anJ  the  girl,  veiy  deeply  to  j 
disg'int.     P>    Che <wly  ti '  CiT  wsk' .  w  move  on  with  the  torrent  (i  hO:L,«fli6sh  of 
own   oxifim    ijf.    fa  ii  .>  tttf,  oouW   be   beguiled  lato  a  steep  path,  wlieie,! 
dragging  K  wri>.>  into  n  irithws,  the  rest  world  hwl  thsmselves  by  and  be 
irretui     fiy 

Htjc,  ag  V  <  i.  calctilatioDS  were  opart  by  the  Hai^-biiwis  or.  their  way  » tern 
with  iti.id  tt  U;e  fixed  plase. 

Bill  sa<  i'Kin'M'y  in  time  totakeanc,  ^oarsa,  P>i  ig^ard  atni  a  law  «<  die 
betief  mci.»;-sl  atartsd  d!  9S.fr  the  «ra«giing  line,*.  *  b  l*ey  at  t:noe  cut  off 
twoorttu^»«  >8ndm«»i.  But  the  other*  frissheced  ap  at  Iv-wg  s»  li«rri«d,  an  i  the 
kiAd  ol  mil-i  haiit  coat.nued  huttja  (ha»  c«e;.    Tik-  thiuidor  ^  the  adieu  coursers 


I  TO 


fhi  Rtd 


amtiawttty  renikvled  the  Ch«rrkee  (hat  titvm  ' 
uuiridtkn  aiiil  tlriowu  ott  !»  trroat!  a  irat-lc. 
"  Are  you  biave  ? "  mquiKil  U-  ot  titt  girl,  <lop''»e;',  and  excited  by  «h«  mad  golteji. 
••I  do  not  kut>^,  ,i««!t"'i  ».y  your  mcasurt.*' ul'i  replied  5  "bui  tbireS  ooe  ti.Injj 
atirei,  I  would  sound  kiU  luyscU  diaii  \f'.l  ^gaA..  i'tta  ttiose  ru£Sar<s'  poTver." 

"That's  die  tiuc  talk.'     By  the    ray,  have  a  knife,"  H"  said,  putting  a  sheatis 
dagger  into  her  haiid  as  ii  hf  wrve  ofleiing  a  bon-bon  to  a  cuilii.    "  You  may  want 
it,  though  1  fancy  yuu  have  no  great  shakes  to  tut.    (  ana  rei^asibte  for  you." 
f  Thank  yuu.    I  believe  in  you." 

The  flight  continued.,  only  that  the  Canadiaaa,  beisg  less  'A-earied,  gained  like  a 
whiilwifid  on  a  fleeing  waytaier. 

Cherokee  Dill  had   his   Winehoter  "fcurteen  shoot"  and  «  btcoe  of  be«vy 
jBW»«»c's — a  portable  tnagasine. 
'  **  K<('p  «Ni  galloping,"  said  he,  "  smack  into  the  ranting  water.     You  shall  have 
i.  wymi-up  iKyoiid.     1  reckon  it  mil  also  be  hot  enough  hoc  1  '* 

tying  lie  blazed  uw»y  at  the  rlttlt-breeds  for  six  shuts.     Down  watt  the  men 

F  fhc  Sirddles,  the  rest  Ixing  ti:riificd  by  the  accuracy  of  ?ini  arid  the  long, 

ta^..»g  range.     Meanwhile  Bill  and  ttie  gul  eticcted  the  cr«iii!ir»raiv*i,«.»i  upon  the 


The  leader     ■'•1* 


For  the 


W'H^-    .^..tniiplation 


plain  whtie  i'«e  i'legans  were  encamped, 
Donee  Donna  Rosario  was  safe. 

The  day  advanced,  and  yet  the  Cherokee  seemed  ir  •. 
of  mental  pictures.     Ked  ICiiifc  made  up  his  mind  tu  'ic% 

'*  Are  the  eeta  of  my  father  opcp  ?  "  he  askttil. 

Bill  had  become  a  la'her  bit  wisdu.i)  aftci  having  been  ■±.  bitutb^  for  ViUaor. 

"  What  is  my  son's  desire  ?  "  was  tiie  counter  qwry. 

"  The  I'iegans  v»ant  the  Cherokee  sage's  advice." 

"TtM  Pieganj  are  boys  of  mine  at  my  knee.    Speak  awoy," 

"The  Haven  is  a  mae  iHrd — a  bird  that  scents  a  baulclield  from  afar.    f*.  flies 

,  Hra-ght  iti  the  mark.    As  the  coyotia  and  wolves  join  tu  (tack  tht;  deer,  so  the  bad 

willies  and  mixed  bkxxis  join  to  take  bold  of  ttie  nd  man  s  teriitory.    V»  .at  is  tny 

lather's  o|>iniun  on  this  ?     What  ought  the  rc<l&kins  tu  do  when  tile  iLiine  ro!>be(s 

thicaien  to  invade  t)ic  holy  ground  ot  (he  Basin  of  Fire.'  '* 

Without  replying  in  woids,  the  Cherokee  iiioked  about  him.  In  one  ap6t  a 
<^>ilhy  scam  clo|^ping  oat  was  soaked  with  blood  from  the  butcheted  game.  He 
p/xpttt^t  to  the  wiiite  earth  on  one  side  of  ih'^'red  stacn,  and  then  scratched  the  tiiit 
,<iubs!aiicc  up  Willi  his  Angei  uai!.  But  tu  scrape  the  blocd-criked  chalk,  hardened 
mVo  suHie,  iie  was  forced  to  use  his  hunting>kntfr,  He  U)o\  up  a  handful  of  the 
soft  dust  and  slowly  let  it  fall  through  his  open  fingers. 

"Tins  dust  is  the  Indians,  uncemcnied  l»y  their  bk)od{  they  are  graiuo  »i       r 
lltlid's  btea(h  ctmld  spin  into  the  itver.     United  by  bkiod,  a  block  is  ior(n«4"  <  r^^^t^^ 
Viift  the  «lge  oi  a  kniie.    Do  my  brothers-  comprehend  ?  '•  '***  '  •^"■f'^3|™ 

♦'  1  do," answered  Ked  Knife.    "The  Raven  of  the  Cherokee  counsela  -'.V.i^4,ji;^| 
t>;ic.     Before  now  we  have  done  thesam:,  and  waged  war.     Perhaps, 
'w(*aK!iitgs  and  traitors  falkn  away,  a  great  and  lasting  victory  wc 
oUrS.     But  out  enemimj  are  powerful  as  they  are.     What  it  dit  white 
'lunters  unite  with  these  Canadians  and  tiie  Mm  of  Montana?  " 

"  V'ou  need  nut  fear  that.    Oil  and  water  do  not  blend." 

"  But  the  Old  Man  of  the  Mountain,  the  (rieml  of  thet  Cherokee,  would  h«  j-^ 
oome  to  the  uid  tS  ihe-  Pies^ant.?  "  asked  the  chief,  subtly..  -^ 

"■  But  the  white  tiapper  l»  alone  — —■'*  began  B'tl.  '!  i 

"  M«t  may  be  alone  at  this  iiour,  but  my  spies  spvak  of  ;he  lonetrappersoemwrf  /^ng 
(tf  fu\n  him .  Doer  not  the  Cherokee  kuuw — bis  mocaMtns  have  crossed  ttot; '  /a4;e8 
of  theirs?" 


m--- 


"'■t 


{omtein  M.&»  is  HeHn/oned. 


lU 


[-re  nw  easily  to  !»<•• 

by  »h«  nud  g^allfp. 
[biii.  ttM.Te'»ooe  ti.Ing 
iaf>»'  power," 
Jtid,  pulsing  a  sheatiri 
Id.  "  You  may  wain 
|j|NKi8ibk  fur  yuu." 

•taried,  gained  like  a 

d  «  bntoe  of  be««y 

ter.    You  siiall  have 

Down  wwit  the  men 
if  ?ini  ar.d  ihe  tonj, 
•7  an»*  U-..S  v^joa  the 

:'^  *.«(,:  1,    Fertile 


■«*•• 


.teciplation 


from  afar> . 

ck  tiMi  doer,  so  ih«  bid 
riiiory.  V>  .at  is  my 
len  dMt  siiine  roMjers 

him.  In  une  spot  a 
butchered  game.  He 
ieti  scratched  the  saft 
sriliied  chalk,  haruetied 
up  a  handful  of  the 


ey  are  crainn  >' 
ocfc  is  formedl   r 

tee  ODunsda  ■ -■  •''^•^•ik£i' 
Perhaps,'!    '  M-i't^^-'^' 

(c  white  i.  .  J  ,  1...  ,a'' 


lerokee, 


Bs  era  ppers  cms  v<rf  /&ig; 
ave  crossed  tbe'/j 


*'f  know  vrhAt  I  know.  Tt>£<>ld  hfka  liif  00  seoets  from  his  brother.  The 
{rappers  arc  cnaowag,  that'4  a  fact." 

'*  To  what  end  i  Wilt  he  guide  (he  gold.seehers  into  the  Encha&ted  VnUegr,  W^fre 
the  holy  Src  ra^es,  wlttoh  m^'  father  has  drank." 

"No.     Jsm  Ridge  loves  ite  Yellowstone— he  does  not  want  a  whole  fubtoiUt  af 
sccurim^s  to  be  poured  into  i's  lovely  gUdes  and  peaceful  parts,  where  the  far/n&< 
■tome  aj>  and  lick  your  hands."  1 

"  Ati  I  does  the  old  V^ger  wish  the  help  of  the  Piegans  to  keep  off  tb?  white*  ?  ia 
hh  Chektikee  mate  sent  to  ask  that  help? "  rame  from  the  Red  KnVi,  i»  Aantajw^ 
»otce.  -  .  .f 

"Lot',  no,"  responded  Bill,  coldly.  "On  the  other  ht-nd,  the  old  mnn  ne>x; 
it^sed  help  !o  an  <R(*iaR  who  played  htm  fair.  Many  a  poor  wretch,,  iioisen  0Q(| 
has  been  sut>courcd  by  i.'im—  more  than  fed,  mark  yoa ;  clothed  in  fttte  fur,  tuidl 
g^ren  »  gun  ant,  powder  &,nd  ball,  with  tt?<:  promise  only  undeT^cood  that  he  sho-'iti 
^ot  use  thern  on  Any  of  Jim's  colour.  But  never  has  he  craved  any  return  Icr  w'liat 
he  haj  done.  Tliat's  his  style,  chief.  What  the  R«v«n  says  is  dictated  by  the 
friendly  spiric  i.i  bis  very  bones,  with  which  his  mother  tempered  tttem.  He  has  no 
mission  from  anyone.  But  siiii,  if  to  drive  away  these  gold-thirsty  dogs,  ay,  and 
to  crush  tlitint,  ttic  Picgans  want  the  wrapper's  itelp,  who  enteruins  no  kindly  iCec!ing<i 
for  the  didgrr.ces  to  their  race,  then  And  ou',  whether  he  will  give  it.  It  is  a  sachem 
that  you  h.ive  hca'd.     Ponder  over  his  words." 

Bill  rose  and  retired  to  a  tent  r/iatle  ready  for  him.  He  was  left  alone  to  recruit 
tilt  about  sunrise,  when  the  chiefj  flocked  raund  his  tent  door  with  all  the  cerentony 
t^d  down  hj  Indian  e<tqu«tte.  The  medicine  n<an  hal'owed  the  tent,  so  that  tbcjr. 
could  hold  a  couucil-sinok;,  &nd  this  was  Red  Knife's  proposal  t 

"  After  consid^ting  the  woids  of  the  Cherokee  chief,  the  head  meu  of  *e  iPiegariii 
have  come  to  this  (inclusion :  Qutrinnik  is  a  wise  man  (  he  knows  mat  ovily 
boys  and  squaws,  having  ne  keenness  or  ezperiei;ce  Kke  trained  snen,  ir>ha  have 
made  their  mark,  set  about  things  unthlnkiogty,  and  with  no  conception  of  th<:ir 
extent.  The  Picgans  do  not  ask  in  thia  fashion,  being  men  of  war.  The  chief, 
subs^ief,  captains,  and  big  braves  of  the  nation  have  resolrred  to  say  this  t  The 
Cherokee  chief  iovei  his  brothers,  the  Blackfeet,  Hi:^  heart  is  red,  and  prompts- hira 
to  speak  g(x>d  counsel,  and  that  counsel  lias  been  debated  on.  It  is  true  the  Old 
Man  of  the  Mountain  has  punished  trap-robbers  and  ravagera  of  the  ecchft,  ai.d 
tl;at  he  has  given  shot  for  siuu  whcu  fined  .■sn.  But  if  he  has  shed  bIoc<d,  hb,  too, 
has  had  his  blood  spilt.  Let  the  rock  mos^  i.^;C  the  desert  sands  drink  tiie  blood  u|;> 
of  both  foe  and  frinsd  of  i  >urs,  and  say  an  more  about  it.  On  the  other  hand,  th^^] 
'^agerhas  helped  many  a  naked,  starved,  gnnles^  Indian  about  the  Yellowstone,  and 

^e  higisland  atope.  He  has  defended  the  Encttanted  Valley,  and  never  b&s  h»< 
^ered  men  to  gaide  his  white  brethren  within  its  hounds  of  fire  and  steam 
smoke.  He  is  (Ucne,  yet  he  does  not  nised  nelp.  But  we  do.  Never  in-. 
memory,  or  or',  the  tainted  books  <sf  the  tribe  history  in  the  sacred  lodge,  havel 
many  evil  men  been  covering  the  wilderness.  Lol  the  buffalo  and  the  l}e'r"aji 
driven  away  by  the  reek  of  atran^fe  camp  fiies,  and  the  bir.li  hurry  from  the  upraas- 
of  carouses.  The  Ravvin  of  ttie  Cherokees  speaks  true.  He  comes  on  no  crfawjl'l 
from  the  Great  White  Trapoer.  But  the  Picgans,  propd  fc)  ha»e  the  slayer  nf  sU* 
at-full-gailop.under'their-ow>>.eyss  a.<<  their  guest,  elain-i  a  service  of  liiin :  t^g^ 
chiefs  desire  to  see  the  Yag^r  of  the  Yellovvstone.  Did  they  know  wlwr  to  ''''' 
hiK9,  they  wo'iid  go  forth  iu  their  best  clothes  to  grrct  him  ;  but  the  Mo>ivitainMi 
t  h>!ntei* — he  disguises  liis  trail  niiatly,  ai.d  his  fon  Is  an  unUis'^uietable 
at  the  Gherokeo  chief  knows  where  his  friend  abides,  and  lie  will  go  u>  hire,  satfji 
»r\y,  'Old  Man  of  ttw  Mountain,  your  sons  the  Pi/^ant  have  a  i  rigSK  orj  tfe<5?j 
tteiut,  a  akin  over  timreyee — Utey  beaeedt  your  help,  wiwh  the  wondrooe  gon  ~ 


■M 


*%1«*am'r«M!Bi!#p;t;T./,;.f;ji\ 


:  12 


the  lu'd  m>fr  TTalf^l 


\       i! 


sends  .leath  so  fat  at^d  »3  enK.  Come  ta  tteir  waid  tsalnsi  tfetdi  tjremia^  nrbo  ate 
years ;  comi  quick ;  k\  your  pnsenoe  console  and  make  foy  d^M;  All  grid!  dttt 
eats  up  thrir  heart.'" 

Bill  did  not  in  the  feintest  believe  in  the  more  than  temporary  sincerity  of  the 
speaker,  but  he  spoke  so  fectinglf ,  that  be  jjoined  in  the  murmur  of  applause  which 
hailed  the  final  words. 

"  The  saying  of  my  brotiier,  the  renowned  of  the  Piegsnt,  rinf  gv;  »:tly  in  my 
(jar,"  returned  the  Cherokee  Half-breed.  "  What  the  Pieg^ns  wish,  the  Raven  vrill 
do  this  ni^t.  Away  ^oes  tlie  cloud  un  my  brother's  beaitl  Leavi^tr  the  youog 
paleface  girl  in  his  brother's  keep,  the  Raven  will  fly.  I  have  spoketi  aU  tb«t 
is  in  nvt. 

''  The  youngf  paleface  maiden  is  not  here,  wc  we  only  a  sister  of  the  Piegans," 
answered  Red  Knife,  nobly.  "  She  i«  in  the  sltadow  of  the  tctero-pole  of  the  tribe, 
her  heoti  is  pitbwed  on  the  ark  of  tht  HUckfctt  Pie^ans.  No  danj^er  shall  befall 
her,  though  the  Cherokee  chief  stayed  .\wny  till  the  moon  and  stars  fell  out  of  the 
sky,  and  the  sun  burnt  itself  to  a  dead  c<->bl  and  dropped  also  into  the  lakes  I " 

An  hour  afterwards,  at  dusk.  Bill  Williams  rode  out  of  the  camp,  conlidenily.  As 
we  know  something  ot  the  singular  telegraphin^if  and  telephoning  which  the  old  trapper 
and  hi.  comrade  employed  to  correspond  r<ec!etly,  we  need  not  describe  how  again 
they  conferred  without  the  orerhcwers  piercing  the  mystery.  A  liitle  Ijefote  sunrise, 
/the  Cherokee  was  back  at  the  Piegan  resting-place.  Red  Kniie  was  awake,  aa4 
eagerly  awaiting;  him  at  the  inlet. 

"  What  docs  the  old  father  say  P  "  qoeried  he,  after  the  customary  greeting. 

"These  are  the  trapper's  words,"  returned  Bill,  gravely.  '"  Atr  I  to  be  deaf  to 
the  appeal  of  redskin  Ijruthers  v/ho  are  fighters  and  not  thieves.'  Not  when  the 
sun  is  so  ^'gh  that  there  is  no  shadow  at  the  base  uf  die  tree,  then  I  shall  be  in  tiie 
Picgai.  -amp.'" 

"Good,  good  I"  said  the  sachem,  conlially,  "I  thank  my  father  for  having 
swiftly  and  fully  kept  his  promise.    The  white  trapper  will  be  weloome." 

At  this  moment,  hearing  Bill  Williams'  voice,  the  door-flap  of  Donna  Rosario's 
tent  house  was  pushed  aside,  and  she  came  forth.  Albeit  she  was  in  complete 
safety  among  the  red  m^n,  her  pretmrioUs  position  filled  tiie  dainty  girl  with 
restlt:ssness.  Throughout  'he  night  she  had  been  kept  awake  by  exc^sive 
neiviHis  e.KCttement,  caused  by  reflections  on  recent  events,  and  the  pain  Atom 
bruises  and  thorn  scratches  gained  daring  the  flighti  In  the  pannier  stte  tiad  been 
shaken  about  nu>re  than  in  a  cockboat  in  a  chopping  sea.  She  was  glad  to  have 
hct  enfevered  forehead  kissed  by  the  <k>o1  morning  breeze.  She  came  out  over  to 
the  twdTprindpals,  and  saluted  them  with  a  grateful  but  still  rueful  smite. 

Red  tCuife,  with  that  innate  delicate  grace  comn<nn  to  all  men  yibo  live 
un&tteiiul  in  the  open  nir,  bowed  to  her  respectfully,  and  luiidly  asked  how  sbu  had 
iisicd.  To  encourage  her,  he  repeated  that  she  had  nothing  to  (ear  fnm>  her 
enemies,  as  she  should  rxs,tt  fall  again  hito  their  hands. 

"Thank  you,  chief,"  she  re}oined;  "bat,**  she  added,  vrith  a  brightening  iye 
of  deep  proud  .Ittrrmination,  "  If,  in  spite  of  your  povrerf ul  ptotaction,  those  ruffians 
had  suc-xedcd  i»  seizing  me  again,  they  would  have  c«rri«d  away  merely  the  dead. 
I  would  have  sUin  icysel*  rather  ihan  have  yielded." 

With  a  significant  gesture,  sttc  flung  asidi:  the  hem  of  a  Mexican  blanket, 
l,howing  the  knife  in  her  waisitband. 

"  Tis  a  b'ave  girl,"  remarked  Ked  Rnilc,  smiling  dubiously,  iut  be  had  his  own 
ideas  about  usin^  a  dagger  on  himself  before  he  had  struck  out  all  he  could  |  "but 
the  steijl  was  useless,  my  dvn  bdng  under  tSie  Ruaid  of  the  8£uiri6  finibkim,  and 
n»(  warriiii 3  Would  have  fnUstht  to  the  lasi  shot  for  her," 

Ab,  in  uur  uthu  ludiiui  stories,  wc  Mxm  w  hate  ;  -  irtrayed  ihefMreainn'ntt  <A 


iqilac;  the  grief  tiuu 

orary  sinceiitf  of  the 
nur  of  applauw  wbidi 

ring^  a\:  i>!tl)r  in  my 
s  wish,  the  Raven  will 

hsauig  the  ycuag 
have  spokeu  aU  ttiat 

lister  of  the  Fiegans," 

tem-pftle  of  the  tribe, 
)  dan)i^r  shall  befall 
stars  fell  out  of  the 
nto  the  lakes  I " 
amp,  confidenlly.  As 
g  which  the  old  trapper 
ot  describe  how  again 
A  little  before  sunriiic, 
Kjiiie  was  awake,  aa4 

tomary  greeting. 
•"An?  1  to  be  deaf  to 
ieves?    Not  wheo  the 
,  then  I  shall  be  in  the 

my  father  for  having 

B  veloome." 

ip  of  Donna  Rosario's 

t  she  was  in  complete 

the  dainty  girl  with 

awaike    by   excMsive 

ts,  and  the  pain   from 

:  pannier  she  had  been 

She  v?aB  glad  to  have 

She  came  oot  over  to 

rueful  smite. 

to  all   men  who   live 

dly  asked  how  she  had 

hing  to  fear  from  her 

irtth  a  brightening  2ye 
rotection,  those  ruffians 
away  merely  the  dead. 

of  a  Mexican  blanket, 

sly,  fur  he  had  his  own 
out  3.1!  h«  could  ;  "  but 
le  Ssjjt  <1  Embimi,  and 


lyed  ihdMreatmtnt  ot 


Heed, 


1 13 


white  women  in  a  diflfertnt  light,  ^w  b«g  to  say  In  this  digression  that  there  i» 
really  no  contradiction  in  sense.  The  southern  ?n<!iuns  are  iiot  to  be  trusted  with 
wotnen,  iNit  the  noittiem  race)  and  those  descended  trom  the  ancient  nutions  of  the 
Nofth  East  artd  Atlantic  coast  are  of  opposite  molality.  The  latter  will  make  whitis 
women  slaves,  bat  never  their  wives.  The  Half  .breeds  spring'  from  the  union  of  red 
women  and  -vhite  men,  it  is  to  be  ninteiDbered,  which  in  izo  wise  gainsays  our 
statement  of  an  incontescable  truth. 

Cherokee  Bill  was  too  profound  an  observer  and  was  too  familiar  with  the  tbougbta 
of  white  people  atul  red  people,  to  say  notlimg  of  Mexican  ones,  not  to  understund 
Rosario's  doubts  and  dreads.  So  he  hastened  to  inform  hw  that  Jim  Ridge  wocild 
soon  be  present.  This  intelligence  roi^ch  exalted  her ;  licpc  at  once  was  kindled  ia 
her  bosom  and  warmed  her  heart  with  its  beneficent  mys.  It  seemed  to  her  that 
this  celebrated  adventurer's  inteivetuion  must  be  ailvantageous  to  her.  This  ivas 
apart  (mm  Mr.  Dearborn's  promising  thai  he  would  conbr  with  the  Man  of  the 
Mountain  and  compact  for  her  rescue  and  Miss  Marian's.  It  is  true  tlu  Cherokee 
ha<l  only  saved  her;  but,  perhaps,  already  someth  .ig  had  been  dune  in  a*«ticctuaE» 
tf  not  in  80  dashing,  a  mode  to  save  her  dear  C'aipanion. 

She  found  lime  to  a»k  Hill  about  his  (uitner  in  the  friendly  abduction,  but  Iw  bad 
only  spoken  with  Ridge,  who  had  seen  nothing  more  of  Pilditch  tliun  himself. 

"  Patience,"  said  he,  calm  as  a  '*  whole  redinan,"  "  he  would  not  -have  travelled 
with  me  in  the  war  path  unless  he  was  capable  of  taking  care  of  himself  atune.'* 

duite  as  impatient  as  the  girl  were  all  the  Piegans  to  receive  the  famous  old 
erplorer  ;  but  they  had  donucd  die  motionless  mask  which  the  savages  aae  to  hUe 
even  the  deepest  feelings  on  public  occasi  ns. 

If  we  were  in  town,  we  nhould  say  the  how  of  twelve  sounded  when  all  the 
Indians,  quesfioning  the  country  with  glittering  eyes,  t>'nmtcd  with  pleasure.  A 
horseman  was  seen  to  be  cleaiing  a  piney  mrood  at  the  estrcmr  limit  of  the  liorieon, 
and  gallop  in  a  bee  lire  towuds  them.  He  was  alooib  At  a  glanoe  he  waa 
lecognised  as  Jim  Bidgt. 


CHAPTER  XXVIIL 


DRAWINO     TO     A     HIAB. 


Rbd  Kmn  blew  Isb  war  whistle  loudly.  This  was  the  cue  for  forty  men  to  Sfnlngf 
on  their  ponies.  The  chief  took  the  lead  and  all  tote  away  like  fiends  over  the  lesrei 
grotind.  Tliay  sotm  "  fanned  out  "  there,  brandishing  tJieir  guns  ovtrtMr  hentb, 
twsing  up  war  clubs  and  citching  tlicni  when  all  but  tnuching  the  ground,  jugfli.'!^ 
with  their  knives  and  pistols,  all  without  drawing  rein ;  executing,  in  fact,  circus 
feats,  after  the  manner  of  the  Arabs,  who  employ  this  same  nicthud,  or  Jantnsia,  to 
greet  a  celebrity.  On  his  part,  the  trapper  was  riding  a  steed  without  any  liainr<)9i 
whatever — one  that  he  had  caught  astray  from  the  unfortunate  HAit'btet'd  detocti- 
meot  that  "  banked  up"  against  the  Cherokee.  Except  for  the  lasso  vriildi  U.ui 
ensnared  i^  ami  wnich  serveil  as  a  halter,  it  <il)eyed  tlie  liilcf  by  hisvt.ice  and  -iap 
of  the  hand,  and  was  restrained  from  rebellion  by  the  tlitcwauiing  pressure  ii  hie 
kuccs,  with  which  hi  would  have  or^sh^J  in  the  nbs. 
This  simple  show  of  atrugant  hur8eiaaii3hi(»  delijjhted  the  Piegans,  who  }oarney 


iXlt}'J'^W,fM¥^ 


114 


T/ie  lied  Biver  MsJ/- 


r;ted. 


oftenrct  on  foot,  and  they  all  fired  off  their  gims.  Then,  forming  a  Hru-  a);reKiit 
under  cover  of  the  snolie,  they  charg^ed  wi(h  a  prodigious  howling,  bur  then  almo«i 
overwhelming  the  solitary  rider,  they  reined  up  by  a  mirack  of  uiH,  as  if  their  poor 
broki^-jawed  horse*  had  suddenly  talcen  root  in  the  ground. 

J  m  had  came  on  at  the  same  round  pace,  as  if  th«  yelling  cavalcade  weve  miles 
remote.  He  had  been  too  long  identified  with  Indian  customs  nut  to  see  in  this 
dei>-.unstratlon  what  it  really  was — a  strong  manifestation  of  thr  regard  he  was  tteld 
in,  and  their  joy  at  his  venturing  by  himself  in  their  midst. 

Red  Knife  and  the  others  now  fell  in  as  an  escort,  and  so  accompanied  him  to  the 
encampment,  where  the  tedious  ceremony  of  reception  had  (o  be  gone  through.  The 
Grand  Monai  ch,  in  ail  his  glories,  was  thm  more  punctilious  than  the  Indians  in 
their  reiined  etiquette.  The  whole  performances,  as  Bill  termed  them  to  Donna 
Rosario,  were  bound  to  last  an  hour,  and  they  protracted  them  to  half  as  much 
again. 

Old  Ridgre  supported  them  like  a  king  to  the  manner  bom.  No  such  trifle  was 
going  to  hinder  him  from  his  puipose. 

Whilst  the  waniors  continued  their  rejoicings,  the  chiefs  went  into  the  medicine 
lodge,  and  more  solemnly  received  Ridge  there,  the  Cherokee  being  his  sponsor. 

The  Old  Yager  was  in  a  predicament.  The  rednnen  wanted  him  to  oo-operate 
with  them  in  a  league  of  the  Indian!^  against  the  whites  east,  south,  and  north  ( 
but  as  this  would  have  been  treachery,  or  at  least  apostasy,  they  had  to  lessen  their 
desires  gradually  during  a  long  discussion.  As  Jim  said,  he  pared  the  proposition 
flown  till  it  came  to  a  smaller  head  I    The  Yellowstone  Basin  was  to  tie  defended 

vn  all  comem.    On  his  side,  Jim  promised  that  none  of  the  trappers,  hunters, 
!ch  Canadians,  and  whoever  might  rally  to  him  should  enter  the   Fire4)o)e 
Region.     Kidd,  the  iialF-breeds  of  Red  River,  and  any  scoundrds  who  flocked  (O 
them  as  the  redskins  adianced  and  swept  the  country,  were  to  be  destroyed, 

"  You  will  have  all  the  fighting  you  hunger  for,"  remarked  Jim  drily,  "  with  these 
tascals,  without  wanting  to  go  on  ard  injure  the  Bttons,  ct  King  George's  men." 

As  the  pact  was  clear  for  the  morrow,  and  the  savages  do  not  look  forward 
beyond  a  day,  the  utmost  good  feeling  remained. 

Runners  were  sent  out,  and  during  the  evening  representatives  ca'  L^  from  the 
iiuntiiig  parties  allied  to  the  Piegiuis.  There  were  chiefs  of  tl.e  Small  Robes, 
Dlackfcet  proper,  Blackfeet-Sioux,  which  linked  the  league  witli  the  Daticotahs  and 
cout^terbalanced  the  Crows,  in  case  Ahnea.ekee  objected  to  the  new  and  uanow 
Knangrment,  and  some  Rovers.  These  summed  up  as  one  hundred  atid  fifty  war 
men.  'i°he  Yager  counted  theit\  and  re;»gnised  the  elders  among  them  with  relief 
and  gladness.  He  had  resolved  to  crush  out  Kidd  and  his  crew  to  the  last  man. 
He  had  contemplated  the  march  of  events  with  secret  satisfacuon,  having  prepared 
many  of  them ;  and  the  gieat  progress  made  in  a  few  days  was  enormously 
gratifying. 

A  little  while  before  he  and  his  nephew  and  Cherokee  Bill  stood  against  huge 
odds.  Now  they  were  commanding  an  army.  If  the  reds  were  not  perfect  matches 
to  the  gold  grabbets,  they  were  quite  so  to  the  Manitobans,  and  the  Scotch  Canadians 
and  Americans  foim>.-d  a  reserve,  or  backbone,  which  ensured  success. 

Now  the  intruders  were  being  enveloped  in  a  net  of  which  the  meshes  were  self- 
plaiting  themselves  all  around  them.  When  the  fowler  pulled  the  string,  the  g^me 
would  be  inextricably  caught. 

At  a  final  council  hdd  at  night  the  concord  was  perfected.  Saying;  nothlnff  of 
hostilities  against  the  border  settlers,  Montana  miners,  railroad  surveyors,  and 
pioneer*,  north,  the  objeaive  point  of  the  allied  Teds,  with  Jim  Ridge  as  mere 
coi)n!!cJor  anti  volunteer  ptiirate,  was  to  be  Elk'ii  Leap,  where  Captain  Kidd, 
rdnfnroed  by  the  French  Canadians,  was  tending  to  enuar  ttae  Yellowstone  Pork. 


ling  &  linu  abreast 
ig,  b\u  then  aloiost 
»kil>,  Mil  thek poor 

Makade  «*»«  <nilea 

nut  to  see  in  this 

:  rejjard  he  was  beld 

wnpanied  him  to  the 
gone  through.  The 
than  the  Indians  in 
ned  them  to  Donna 
im  to  half  as  moch 

No  sudi  trifle  was 

nt  into  the  medicine 
elng  his  sponsor. 
d  him  to  oo-operaie 
ist,  south,  and  north  » 
ley  had  to  lessen  their 
:  5>ar^  the  proposition 
sin  was  to  be  ddended 
the  uappers,  hunters, 
i  emer  the   FireJiole 
ndrds  who  flocked  to 
be  destroyed. 
J  im  drily,  "with  thes« 
King  George's  men." 
I  do  not  look  forwani 

Lves  ca»     ~  -ro""  »*" 

of   the  Small  Robes, 

to  the  Dalicotahs  and 

)  the  new  and  nanow 

hundred  and  fifty  war 

among  them  wUh  relief 

I  crew  to  the  last  man, 

action,  having  piepared 

days  was  enormously 

Bill  stood  against  huge 
were  not  perfect  matches 
id  the  Scotch  CanadiaM 
1  success. 

th  the  mesdies  were  sett- 
led the  suing,  the  gati« 

ted.  Saying  nothlngr  of 
railiuad  sutveyois,  and 
th  Jim  Ridg«  as  njew 
1  where  Capt*to  K.M, 
U  VeUow»ua»e  Park. 


Draim«g  to 


a  mad. 


"i 


feimers  and  riders  went  out  fo  collect  scouts  and  strayers.     Messengers  were 
Selected  to  throw  a  sheaf  of  arrows,  a  knife,  and  a  bag  of  powder  and  balls  into 
^thc  cimp  of  Captain   Kidd  and  tliat  of  the  Rcil  Rvor  Rovers  if  sepatate.     'ft»» 
fimai'-pdie,  forty  feet  tiigh,  was  set  up  at  the  Pii^yan  c.  mp,  for  the  war  thjoai 
"51^*pciformtd  round  it.    Jim  Ridge  did  not  join  in  'he     opertng,  hut  the  ClMpr^ 
curtly  remarking  that  *'  it  would  do  him  good,"  s(iipf>i'a,  and  paraded,  and  ^^Qfl 
among  the  dancers.    The  cut  of  his  batcUet  on  the  pule  was  a  tic  with  R* .  iII^aH 
for  height  of  the  bound  and  clcannesi  of  the  chop.     At  the  daw.i,  the  d.  putlea' 
hurried  to  their  camps  to  mursbal  iluiir  btav«  and  conduct  tlwm  to  the  rendezvous. 

It  is  to  be  noied  that  the  Red  Indians  spriin;  sharply  from  their  laziness  of  peace- 
times  into  the  strain  of  warfare.  They  become  other  men.  Metamorphosed  euiiicly, 
they  endure  with  unflinching  stoicism  the  greatest  fatigue  and  longest  privations. 
The  very  men  who  were  ridiculous  sloths  and  gluttons  will  never  gnoMi  at  having 
no  sight  of  food  fiMr  two,  three,  or  even  four  oays,  or  even  at  having  no  water. 

Then  they  are  granite  and  siop  for  nothing,  and  are  not  surprised  at  any  disaster. 
Colli,  heat,  sun  or  rain,  snow  or  bail,  these  are  sitenti)  mocked  at  Hence  the 
secret  fnundatiofl  of  t^ir  rapid  movements,  the  fury  of  their  auack,  and  ihcit  Hin" 
conquerable  energy  in  battle, 

After  the  final  talk,  Ridge  had  a  short  ooitversation  with  William*,  iik."<'w*:<*te1y 
after  which  the  latter  !efj  the  camp.  Tlie  white  trnp|ier  had,  we  have  remarked, 
kept  bin^self  out  of  the  savage  demnnstratioii,  sitting  at  a  watch-fire  without  even 
dozing  off.  A  white  man  with  an  army  of  reds  is  like  a  chemist  experimenting 
with  an  explosive  of  which  all  the  qualities  have  yet  to  be  tested.  la  some  ua* 
expected  manner  the  whole  may  hoist  the  engineer  himself 

About  an  hour  after  sunrise  the  Cherokee  returned.  Me  was  accompanied  by 
two  white  hunters.  They  were  to  be  the  guards  of  Donna  RosEirio,  who,  though 
she  made  a  wry  face  about  it,  as  if  she  pert>  Tially  vnshixl  to  assist  in  the  deliverance 
of  Miss  Maclan,  consented  reluctantly  to  .  'ing  lodged  in  one  of  Jim  Ridge's 
mountain  refuges. 

•'  Poor  girl,"  murmured  he,  as  she  departed,  "what  a  blessing  that  she  has  no 
idea  that  I  am  her  kinsman,  a»«l  that  bsr  father  hsi  perhaps  k>st  his  Ufie  in  helping 
Bill  to  wrest  her  from  that  villain." 

He  was  very  thoughtful,  and  'lis  chat  with  his  comrades  was  more  brief  and  tn 
shorter  phrases  than  ever.  If  he  was  idle  in  his  moodiness,  howevel,  Ihe  Cherokee 
reiloubleo  his  activity  in  scouting. 

Ttiere  was  already  one  screw  loose  in  the  mai:hinery ;  the  Crows  had  lost  connec- 
tion with  the  Piegans.  Their  disappearance  was  perplexing,  ominotis  even.  Tine 
Picgans  were  completely  pus^.ted.  And  all  Ridge  surmised  was  that  someh  tw 
Atinemekee  had  icamt,  or  strongly  supposed,  that  mjt  Kidd,  but  &»  B&Mtot^  Men 
had  interfered  with  his  descent  on  the  Red  River  Half-breedo. 

Red  Knife,  though,  soon  offered  his  opinion  tfant  the  Crows  titate  cowards,  and 
had  skulked  away  from  the  prospective  battlefield. 

Apart  from  this  defectkm,  all  went  on  merrily  enough  fir  six  days,  when  the 
concentration  was  perfected.  Each  day  the  border  ruffians  and  Canadiaiis  v.erc 
kept  under  view,  and  camp  for  camp  invisibly  opposed  each  Uher.  it  is  true  the 
mixed  bloods  and  the  whites  had  their  scouts  and  outlyers  busy,  biit  they  tovttid 
nothing  to  alarm.  The  tmppers  and  Black&et  seemed  to  be  swallowed  up  ir.  ii^c 
mountain  gorges. 

The  temperature  became  tnilder.  The  infltuence  of  the  liot  water  ^rings  of  the 
Yellowstone  certainly  affected  the  air.  in  four  days  or  so,  toilsornelv  as  the  adven* 
timers  broke  their  way  through  the  pattiless  wtlds,  they  would  hau  the  pcomlstxi 
golden  land. 

But  one  evening  Cherokee  Bill,  tis  director  of  all  (he  k»cts,  repsitOd  diat  tbeie 


it6 


The  Etd  JHoer  SulJ^Brted, 


mte  mora  ingrtdienu  for  the  tte«r.  Instead  of  finiUng  Ahmmekee'ii  band  in  the 
eastward,  his  spies  h»d  descried  evidences  of  a  strong  force  oi  whites.  And  in  the 
NortJuwest  also  another  body  of  whites  were  perceivnl. 

This  news  very  much  disquieted  Jim  Ridg^e,  and  deepened  hb  thonghtf'ilnes*. 
According  to  the  Jlag  to  which  ttiey  held  alte^^anoe,  the  new-comers  might  exert  a 
preponderating  influence  on  what  was  to  become  a  veritable  war.  Hesiiatioii 
would  be  fatal.  It  was  imperative  to  have  done  with  present  opposing  elements  as 
quickly  as  possible,  or  have  a  double  force  to  contest.  It  is  soundest  reason  in  the 
wilderness  to  believe  enemies  approach,  and,  anyway,  white  men  would  rather 
combine  with  those  of  their  complexion  than  the  redskins. 

This  was  strictly  lugrical,  but,  as  often  happens  in  practical  lifie,  that  itself  made 
k  wrong;  but  the  Yager  oouM  not  suspect  this.  Atvrays  in  his  feas  was  that  of 
the  lovely  enclosed  country  of  the  Yellowstone  becoming  the  prey  lo  land-iaiders 
and  freebooters.  He  warded  off  intruders  from  that  garden  like  tlic  dragon  of 
iMitiqtK  fable. 


CIIAPI'ER    XXIX. 


OM  THS  IVS  or  TBI  ATTACK. 


CHiKoxn  Biu.  was  ill  at  ease  as  tejfatda  the  new  OMnert,  and,  whilst  oth« 
H»uts  left  the  main  body  to  discover  what  was  the  force  approaching  from  the 
north,  he  took  the  almost  opposite  direction.  But  when  a  scout  goes  out  thus  "  on 
hi*  own  hook,"  he  makes  sure  of  his  way  back  being  clear.  A  scout  mml  return 
wi'h  news,  that  is  his  ruling  motto.  Besides,  the  Half-breed  on  the  scouting  path 
was  very  prudent.  His  Uoe  led  him  iixtasa  a  trail  to  Old  Nick's  Cut-ofT,  (uid  there 
lie  scrutinised  the  ground. 

In  a  few  minutes  be  frowitcd  and  stot^ied  lower.  He  had  perceived,  scarcely  rooie 
than  discernible  though,  die  mark  of  a  human  foot,  invisible  for  other  eyes.  He 
gave  some  seconds'  concentrated  examination  ta  it,  for  it  was  not  an  Indian's  tread, 
nor  a  white  man's  in  soft  heeiless  shoes,  but  that  of  the  wearer  of  pegged  boots, 
such  as  are  common  on  the  border.  They  are  too  heavy  aiid  require  too  much  repara- 
tion in  dry  weather  to  suit  uie  hunters ;  they  adopt  the  ted^ina'  lighter  and  plettfaater 
footgear,  as  do  the  Canadian  Half-breeds, 

There  was  no  dcubt  that  one  of  Captain  Kidd's  crew  bad  beeoi  here,  and 
recently.  Whence  he  came  last  and  whither  be  was  gc^ng  now  were  the  questions. 
That  ^i>>  was  a  spy  of  the  gold-grabbers  was  clear  to  Bill.  Still,  ounfirmauoii  was 
fair  from  easy,  Exoe^t  nvei  a  few  square  feet  wh«f  e  a  shallow  rock  basin  had  preserved 
moist  soil,  there  was  nothing  but  hard  stone  and  dry  rocks.  The  Cherokee  chid 
was  not  disheartened  for  ^ill  that,  being  rather  too  experienced  in  desert  tricks. 

This  solitary  footprint  was  on  the  skirt  of  the  woodland,  the  toe  puinling  thither. 

"  He's  altogether  too  blamed  cunning,"  muttered  he,  with  an  inward  chuckle. 
"This  might  scoop  in  a  white  man,  but  not  even  half  an  Injin." 

He  drooled  to  th  t  gr  jund,  and  lying  thereon  like  a  geographer  intentljr  invead- 
guiiiig  m.  erabbcdly  written  map,  f  ■  .plonrf  every  Inch  of  the  soiL    After"  a  ' 
v^hye  hecitt^bt  sight,  a  couple  at  ytuUs  distant  from  ^  footmadc^in  the  i 


On  the  Ei'r  rf  the  Attack. 


m  the 

»hitcs.    And  in  »he 

h^  thonghtfulnest. 
men  might  exeit  a 
iJe  war.  Hesltatiow  ■ 
posing  eletnenis  At 
lundest  rcASon  in  th« 
:  unen  wouU  rather 

life,  that  itself  made 

is  f«a  <  w:u  that  o{ 

prey  lu  lanU<raiders 

like  the  dmgou  of 


irs,  and,  whilst  oth« 
ipproachlng  from  tl>«, 
at  goes  out  thus  "  on 
Jk  acoat  must  return 
I  on  the  iicottting  path 
:k's  Cut-off,  (uut  there 

mcaved,  scarcely  mote 
s  for  other  eyes.  He 
dot  an  Indian's  ttead, 
arer  of  pegged  boots, 
quire  too  much  repara- 
'  lighter  and  pleavaiUer 

bad  been  here,  and 

DW  were  the  questions. 
Still,  confirmation  was 
ock  basin  had  preserved 
!.  The  Cherokee  chief 
in  desert  tricks, 
ne  toe  pointing  thither, 
th  an  inward  dtudtle. 
in." 

rapher  intently  investl- 
M  soil.  After  a  long 
footmarii— in  tirt  iam« 


direction — of  a  k»g  thin  scntch,  made  evidently  by    n  iron  ifistrument  whfch  had 

lightly  slid  along.    That  brought  ffvtia  a  smik,  and  he  wtnt  back  whence  he  cJtme. 

A  huge  old  cedar  rose  at  'he  wood  burder,  and  flung  out  protective  boughs,  so 

,  titat  one  waved  maiesticaliy  above  the  tone  footstep.     He  looked  up  at  it  Witbout 

seeing  anything  out  of  the  common.    He  dhook  his  head  and  fell  a-thinking.  Theo, 

.  g^ing  all  arouud  the  tree,  he  picked  ont  the  best  side  fur  climbing,  where  weather 

bad  made  it  lUgged,  and  was  at  the  first  branch  in  two  or  three  minutes.    There  he 

stopped  (o  have  a  kiok  around.     His  lips  curled  in  irilent  satisfaction.     He  crawk-d 

aloDg  the  bough  like  a  panther  going  to  drop  on  a  hwu,  and  readied  a  place  where 

a  cord  had  chafed  half  a  ring  on  the  round. 

He  cnuld  go  down  again— the  mystery  was  sohred. 

One  or  more  men  had  gone  through  the  woods,  monkey  fashion,  in  the  trees,  and 
when  at  the  edge  had  wound  a  rope,  probably  a  lasso,  to  the  bough  by  which  to 
.  lower  themscTveii  to  the  ground,  uking  heed  to  iand  with  their  toea  towards  the 
course  they  had  folkiwed.  Once  afoot,  the/  had  used  an  ironshod  staff  to  execute  a 
riant's  stride  off  the  damp  place  under  di?  sheltering  tree  upon  tbe  bard,  dry  atoiss. 
Hencv  th<;  metallic  line  noticed  by  the  hunter. 

'Ahat  they  were  and  what  their  number  little  worried  him.    The  main  point  was 

ttuu  he  could  find  them  readily.     They  might  conceal  themselves  temporarily 

amongst  tbe  chaos  of  boulders,  but  escape  was  out  ol  tlie  question  I   Qeyond  was  ait 

immensely  deep  abyss,  of  whksh  the  aidvcmurers  were  doubtless  ignotant.    Ttiey 

had  entered  into  a  no-thotoughfare. 

After  overhauling  his  rifle,  the  hunter  citpt  and  glided  among  the  latge  stones, 

'    looking  in  ail  directions,  and  stopping  now  ard  anon  to  listen  avidly.    He  came  to 

I,  a  spot  where  the  whole  of  the  roc  >y  sea  was  comprehended  in  one  view.    A  sttaitge 

sight  was  oiTeted  him,  whkh  filled  him  with  a  kind  of  admiring  surprise. 

Two  men  had  managed  to  throw  a  lasso  over  a  jutting  crag  right  over  a  largH 
ftwiye  .jf'  vine  as  window  to  the  Grotto.    One  bad  wound  tlie  rope  ab«>t  his  middle, 
■   and  with  )itrfectly  alarming  boldness,  was  dangling  over  the  fathomless  abyss  d 
the  Cat>off  with  the  hope  to  pry  into  the  (»vity. 

At  the  nick  when  Bill  Willianis  caught  sight  of  this,  tbe  au^endet!  man  was 
about  climbitig  up,  and  with  the  help  of  his  comrade,  was  hastening  to  land  on  a 
ledge. 

The  Kaveo  of  the  Cherokees  allowed  him  to  just  get  a  footing,  and  whilst  he 
was  uncoiling  the  cord  from  his  waist,  Bill  aimed  at  the  second  man  and  ict  the 
lead  fly.  It  took  hi^n  fair  in  the  bosom,  so  that  he  leapei  up  in  the  air  tiemendoubly, 
and  fell  over  into  the  gulf  with  an  almost  endless  but  more  and  men  faint  acieatn 
of  agony. 

Bringing  another  cauridge  into  readiness  for  an  Immediate  shot,  the  Ha]f.bt«ed 
ttroit  steadily  towards  the  second  bandit,  who  trembled  all  over  in  the  gtraMit 
dread  at  his  approach, 

"  My  poor  brother  is  shaky  with  too  modi  weariness,^  letBartcad  be,  wfwn 
nearer.  "  It  must  be  as  near  hard  work  as  ever  you  tried  to  hang  \ty  the  airdle  on 
a  rope— and  highly  risky,  too,  for  the  string  might  snap,  and  tbtrc's  no  telting  how 
deep  you  might  drop.'' 

The  man  &tared  at  him  as  though  not  understanding  As  bitter  fcst.  It  was  BUI 
who  laughed. 

«'  After  such  a  job,  you  twgbt  to  hsive  a  rest,"  he  went  on.  "  Don't  yoo  fiet — 
you'll  have  pknty  of  rest  before  I  get  through  with  you." 

Whilst  uttering  tiiis  promise  he  had  disurraed  the  prisoner  of  tlie  weapons  which 
be  toswd  ovw  tbe  precipice  i  then  he  sxxA  the  lasso  to  bind  the  man„who  could  not 
think  of  resistance  on  ;hat  perilous  shelf,  all  with  a  skill  and  dexterity  that  an 
Eon^iean  hangt^aa  might  cnvj-.    As  sow  as  be  was  pinfaned  so  that  lb  shudder 


?-jftwE»fls*!S»'?««awi»j»^«ai-^.*Kiijf/'; ' 


tr  » 


The  Hgd  Mver  m(f-Brttd. 


■« 


w.  8  almost  an  im^iowibilitjr,  Bill  eaffired  him  so  thMC  hit  brpat^ini;  was  confined 
to  the  nostiils,  Indian  mtxie,  and  shaulderinj;  him  .ilce  a  bate  of  fur*,  h-  carried  htm 
tr  a  cleft  in  the  Mone  wlience  h>  could  see  nmhin^.  and  dropped  him  down  \^ithin. 

"  It's  nigti  as  cl<i«e  a  Tit  as  a  grave,"  said  he  o.ninously.  "  Bnt  the  joyotes  won't 
touch  ynu,  never  fcart  and  nobody  else  will.  IM  advise  yoor  putting  in  some  sleep 
whilst  awaitini;  my  coming  bacic;  it  will  prepare  you  for  the  long  sleep  you  ate 
fate'  la  enjoy." 

He  left  the  wretch.  He  let  a  ifrlance  trace  the  circuit  of  the  landwape,  and, 
Canying  his  valuable  gun  un<ier  his  left  arm  in  the  savai^e's  fashion,  be  returned  to 
disaiver  the  trail  of  the  horsemen  from  the  south-east.  He  seemed  to  be  fully 
pleated  with  the  late  incident. 

''  All  the  news  those  scouts  brin);  to  old  Captain  Kidd  will  not  spoil  hi«  slum1<er," 
he  rematluxl,  chewing  some  checlcerberry  leaves  as  if  to  oounieract  the  nause^itinj 
fiavour  of  the  gold  hunter's  name. 

Hav'  >{  Kttled  his  object,  he  matched  forward  in  ili"  Indian  style,  as  the  crow 
flies,  all  the  more  reoommendable,  as  path  there  was  none.  This  plan  has  the  ad- 
vantage of  considerably  abridging  the  road  ;  bnt  in  a  brolcen  mountainous  land  most 
people  would  rather  be  excused.  It  lequires  steel  muscles  and  uncommon  vigour, 
and  the  craft  to  employ  them  properly ;  no  fear  of  giddiness— the  gilts  of  the  mountain- 
sheep,  inshoit. 

Without  appearing  to  give  a  second  thought  to  the  narrow  squeaks  he  had,  turning 
angles  in  mid-air  n  t-rely  to  reach  cornices  goats  would  have  evaded,  the  Cherokej 
weiit  steadfastly  on  and  in,  though  each  fresh  hindrance  seemed  leas  surmounUble 
•han  the  easiest  before.  n  the  whole  he  moved  rapidly,  fo  that  in  three  half-hours 
he  had  gone  what  -ntist  have  talcen  anybody  else  three  or,  may  be,  four  full  ones. 

About  elm-cn,  he  bounded  down  on  a  broadish  clearing,  where  an  eitrrmelv  trans- 
jmrent  rivulet  tan  shallowly,  with  a  melodious  murmur,  over  pebbles  wherr  Califomian 
4ia  mc .  is  and  agates  glowed  in  all  colours,  between  banks  edged  with  lilies  and  other  ^ 
aquatic  plants. 

His  piercing  eye  explored  the  scene  tlH  he  was  satisfied  with  the  profound  stillness. 
He  collected  deaxi  wood  ii^a  pile  .-;  little  off  from  the  streamlet,  and  lit  a  fire.  When 
it  hadtalien  gor  !  hold,  lie  due  up  some  edible  roots,  which  he  had  found  bv  the 
leaves  as  well  as  If  they  were  labelled,  and  put  them  in  the  ashes  to  toast.  On  a 
large  bed  of  hot  coals  be  laid  some  strips  of  deermeat,  and  lighting  his  pipe,  sat 
down  tor  a  quiet  Kmoke — h<z  gun  ever  handy,  however. 

During  twenty  minutes  he  only  shifted  to  turn  the  meat  with  the  point  of  his 
knife ;  both  taeat  ir;d  »*■*  "ubstitute  for  potatoes  were  soon  nicely  <»oked.  But  evet^ 
after  he  dinhed  t;;;  peeled  fj»w.rs  upon  a  lt«f  and'the  meat  on  a  strip  of  bark,  with  its 
aa^in  lining  equallo)  by  no  Dicsden  china  plaR^,  he  !ieeraed  to  wait  for  the  cue  to 
raat. 

Indeed,  there  wv  j  i  fai-it  rustle  in  the  covert  which  he  must  nave  heard,  for  hi; 
smiled  and  turned  bis  Cao:  fjiiy  that  way.  A  hunter  crept  out  of  tbe  brush,  bta  gun 
barrel  directed  forward  and  his  finger  on  the  trig^r. 

••  Friend  I"  said  Cherokee  Bill,  without  for't^er  eriiofion 

"  Well,  I  am  knocked  endwise  I — the  chief  1"  exdairaed  the  st.anger,  in  amazeraent. 

It  was  no  other  th:>n  Mr.  Fllditch. 

"  .lust  in  time,"  said  Bill  Wllliains,  wavtiig  his  hands  hospitably  in  a  kin--'  of 
welcoming  grace  over  the  edibles,  "  tlioigh  you  nae  not  predsd/  tise  man  or  men  1 
expected." 

"  Well,  I  hop*  he  is  not  dying  ol  hunger,  as  I  am,"  answered  the  Yankee-Call* 
fomian,  dropping  down  joyfully  in  front  of  his  friend.  "  We  have  been  pushing  on 
with  such  forced  marches  that  we  don't  know  what  eating,  sitting  still,  means  l" 

"  We  1"  qaculated  the  hunttr,  with  what  was.  great  astonishment  Cor'  him. 


l^itigr  was  oonfifMd 
fur-,  \:t  carried  hina 
mm  down  within. 
nf  the  joyote»  won't 
ttting  in  tome  sleep 
long  deep  you  aie 

the.  landMape,  and, 
sliion,  he  returned  to 
seemed  to  be  fully 

spoil  \\U  slumlier," 
fact  the  nauseatinjT 

1  style,  at  the  crow 
lis  plan  has  rhe  ad- 
untainous  land  most 
I  uncommon  vijour, 
{irts  of  the  mountaio- 

leaks  he  had,  turning 
evaded,  th«  Cherokee 
ed  Icsi  surmounUble 
at  in  three  haU<hou{»,^ 
be,  four  full  ones. 
e  an  extremely  rrani 
t\e9  where  California 
•d  with  lilies  and  othef!! 

the  profound  stillness, 
and  lit  a  fire.  Whrn 
lie  had  found  by  the 
tshes  to  toast.  On  a 
1  lighting  his  pipe,  sat 

with  the  point  of  hia 
»ly  cooked.  But  evei^ 
I  strip  of  bark,  with  its 
to  wait  for  the  cue  to 

Mt  nave  heard,  for  he 
t  of  tbe  brush,  hu  gun 


:.-anger,  m  amazement. 

ospilably  in  a.  kin-^  of 
sd/  the  tnan  or  tnen  I 

weted  the  Yankee-CaU» 
have  been  pushing  on 
ting  still,  means  l^ 
tstontsbotent  for  him. 


V  '^M  we  ?  Wiien  we  ported  company  you  were  about  the  kittcscmest  man  in  the 
wood*,  1  shiiuM  allow." 

"  I^oewmf  aitd  k»t,dtiel  t  Wdt,  I  wandered  about  alone,  but  I  canw  back  a. 
bUiKlrrd  strong  I" 

"  With  the«c  horse  from  the  artuth'ard .»    I  wu  e«peet^n^;  them." 

"PcthapsDon  Gic«forio  telegraphed  to  you  ovomigh*  that  he  waii  abwM  due?" 
criol  Fiiditch,  jeMiiigly,  as  well  a.'*  a  mouth  full  nf  fnoil  would  prrmit, 

"Don  Grcpr.rio?  Ihai'a  all  tight,  then !  They  are  fricndf,  for  sure.  Thsi't  a 
weisht  of!  my  mind  I" 

'•  Tlwy  weic  clad  tn  have  me  aa  guide.  Tlmy  might  ha»e  had  a  httt«^.  Bat  you 
can  take  my  olBoc  now.  1  resign  with  the  ntmtwt  pkasure.  But  bow  has  my 
uncle  and  ihc  rest  been  gettmg  on  ?*' 

"Thry  are  beautifully  p.>s(ed,  as  you  will  ser" 

From  the  lone,  Fiiditch  did  not  ptess;  he  knew  that  Bill  was  not  commanicative 
nntrJi's  lie  ploase<l. 

*'  Wliat  makes  you  pri^wl  about  alone  ?"  Inquired  the  hunter  in  ft  little  while. 

"  1  thougtit  I  recognised  a  landmark,  and  wanvd  to  verify  it.  The  troop  is  only  A 
little  hrypiid." 

"  Well,  ttiis  is  ft  gnod  sjiot  for  the  camp  j  feu'  Jim  and  the  hop  are  clean  'way  up 
by  I  he  Yeibwstime,  where  we  must  scoot  in  l>ot  haste  as  soon  as  yr.ur  band  la  re- 
cruiieil.     Go,  frtch  'cm  up  smart !" 

FdUiich  had  "  gobbled  "  his  share  of  the  unexpected  repast.  He  felt  ever  so  much 
better  physically  from  that,  and  morally  because  he  was  assisted  out  of  his  dilemma 
as  an  inexpcrwnced  pilot  by  the  profiiENxl  guidance  of  the  Cherokee.  He  darted  away 
in  a  deligi  ted  spirit. 

la  the  meantime,  Bill  fin'shed  Itis  pipe,  mottered  ti  me  remark  on  the  Mexicana 
wanting  to  pick  their  way  for  the  horses'  sakes,  and  Iciaiuely  gaihi.'je  i  foci,  of  which 
he  niade  a  number  of  fires. 

There  was  great  glee  among  the  four  or  _  f-5*  score  Mexicans  wlio  rode  into  the. 
break  in  the  wooded  and  rocky  land  at  «)lt*' brilliant  token  of  welcome.  In  another 
moment,  old  Gregorio  Peialta,  alighting  with  a  briskness  hardly  anticipated  froiw 
bis  silver  beard,  shnok  hands  with  Bill  Williams  cordially.  Several  of  the.ie 
Southerners  knew  Bill  by  sight,  and  nearly  all  by  hearsay.  It  was  Hail  fellow,  well 
met  1  and  the  camp  ^ernied  in  a  festival. 

Don  Gregorio  had  b«xn  partly  dispossessed  of  his  prrjudice  against  afl  whose 
blood  was  intermixed,  by  Mr.  Filditcii's  glowing  account  of  Bill  Williams' e«ccllewe». 
Heat  once  ca;t  prejudices  aloof,  and  felt  j^'cnuine  sympathy  and  admiration  as  be 
undcistucd  hiir.  better.  He  had  pictured  all  reds  to  be  savages  fond  d  rapine  and 
strong  diink,  with  no  clear  notion  on  g'lod  and  evilj  essentially  devotee'  to  a  bcitish 
life,  and  only  human  in  externals.  In  bii^-^  ferocious  bipeds  incapable  of  generous 
lentiiiients. 

The  sigVrt  of  the  Cherokee,  more  then  ever  an  Indian  since  h«  wM  on  the  war 
\:.\h,  »o  calm,  fond  of  iiis  ci;nirMdes,  handsome  t  f  his  kind^  able,  loyal,  and  mine,  his 
tiatursl  gifts  added  tn,  not  enlianced,  by  his  college  training — tbeae  aspects  made 
him  Viclieve  that  the  Raven  was  an  exceiition  to  all  the  race  hitherto  seen  by  him. 
As  time  passed  over  ihe  meals,  Don  Gregi'tio  learnt  iliat  the  new  guide  was  very 

f  human,  with  the  same  passions,  virtues,  and  vicm  as  otherc  of  the  great  hun-'an 
[family. 
"  •  '  The  rest  being  over,  the  ootuirn  formed  anew,  directed  by  the  jniied-blood  hunter, 
who  '  handled  "  them  like  a  ship  at  sea  with  the  deep-water  pilot  a\  the  helm.  The 
night  made  do  difference  to  him,  and  he  pressed  them  on.  Af'  -"  two  halta,  he 
brought  ihem  to  a  point  whence  all  was  plain  ri  in  :.     It  was  lie,  perhapii 

that  this  reinforcement  should  be  kei«>  a  secret,  from  the  gold-gt  .u  paitic^lu-*  , 


ISO 


n«  Jttd  Shtr  S*ff^Br«ed. 


Such  a  borir  ^  cavalry  wa<  ianUoaUc  for  »  flml  chargot  or  to  paxMM  the  fagtilfW 
■itet  a  defeat 

Don  Gregorio  impetlently  ezpreaaed  ibe  w<eh  to  rUe  otcr  towarcU  the  Blk'e  Lnp^ 
and  oonCer  with  Jim  Ridge. 

"  I  do  not  catch  what  (he  gukk  aa^,"  remarked  he,  huaffonliveiy. 

"  Oh,  be  Mjra  that  wbttc  folk*  Me  very  knowing  riK'^tiaally,  bat  lamentably 
(ail  in  practioa.    I  mdu  ootecUa." 

"Aahow?" 

"  Wdl,  we  are  not  eo  near  the  camp  of  the  Mountain  tncn  and  Oie  urihrd  Indiana 
a;  yz\i  fancy.  The  air  it  very  diHcfeni  here  from  thai  of  the  aoutbem  plains,  in  the 
highlands  the  bug«  mawfi  absorb  the  tesserand  tn«rf»»ll  aaperiries  into  smoothncM. 
You  are  three  days  off  from  the  YetloirKane  Baisia^lMMMr  laat  your  boracs  mlgbt 
■erainble  along."    Thus  the  Cherokee. 

"Weil?" 

"  You  mnM  wait  till  Jim  cornea  or  otherwiae  meeta  you  and  aaalg^  your  pfauM 
lor  the  eombat.  Meanwhile,  Don  GteKorio,  aa  von  are  eager  to  ace  your  grand- 
niece  Roaario,  uke  %  couple' of  inea,  an  eiua  w  e,  and  lend  me  a  bona.  We  will 
ride  (o  wliere  she  h  en  ronccd." 

"  What  I  Y  ou  are  never  going  tu  take  her  out  n(  a  place  of  abetter  and  bring  bar 
into  the  fiKhcing-place,"  ciied  the  ok!  Califomian,  wbliat  Filditch  edMed  th« 
esdaroalion. 

"Mocao.    !  want  the  pat^  animal  to  bdng  my  prisoner  along  to  ahow  Jim." 

•ApriaottM?" 

*  You  ahaU  tee,"  answcied  Bill,  vottiy,  turning  away  to  eelect  a  horaa  an,oag  the 
{tcT.a'.  offered  himp  whibt  Filditch,  who,  of  courae,  went  with  (hem  to  aee  hia 
daugiuer,  dnfWMfaed  a  mesaengci  to  Bidge's  cammaad  with  tiie  giadaomt  new*. 


■tSr 


CHAPTER  XXX. 
run  H*i.r<aRBi(D  dibs  oaiia. 


Kioa  wtw  ipemBtig  Aw  night  without  any  rest.  Besides  the  tnmaltiious  emotions 
excited  by  the  proKimity  of  the  treasure  land,  the  uncontrolabiiity  of  his  forces 
worried  him  exceeuin^ly.  He  was  confident  that  on  finding  gold,  admitting  that 
they  penetrated  the  flte-Hole  country  unimpeded,  it  would  be  each  man  for  hiniseif. 
Even  now  )ie  felt  lonely  enough.  Dan  Steelclcr  had  determinedly  act  off  on  a 
scouting  e3ipciliiion  to  aee  what  bad  befallen  DiHina  Roaari^).  He  had  espresaly 
charged  his  assoriate  to  wacch  Leon  well ;  but  lu  I  ttiat  youth  had  slipped  away  as 
well  as  Lottery  Paul,  whether  in  company  or  separately  was  unsettled.  As  for  Joe, 
he  was  left  behind  lu  guard  the  women  and  gooda.  And  the  departure  of  Dearborn 
incfcaaed  Kidd'a  misery  at  being  aoandoned,  fur  the  guide  bad  shown  hio  the 
pomised  goal  and  dqKirted. 

"  II  only  in  cutting  our  way  throngh  tlicac!  oni^nown  enemiea  we  lose  the  bulk  of 
this  riS-raff."  he  muttned,  "  I  shall  perhaps  liave  a  choice  few  whom  I  tan  govern. 
Ail  nwy  y«t  be  for  the  beat,  and  Joe  and  me  can  set  up  oa  hotel  Cm  suaimer  touristab 


d. 


^Itt'i'Hfm^  t)l»s  (Irmt 


131 


or  to  ponue  the  (agltifM 

■vrr  toward*  ibe  Btk't  Lnp^ 

terrogatiTcljr. 

"^'^teiaiy,  but  bunmiMbljr 

twcii  and  J>e  ufik^d  Indiana 
the  aouttaani  plalni.  In  the 
U  aapariiiea  into  smoothncM. 
Evcr  (aat  your  boraea  might 


HI  ami  aaelgna  yoor  phua 
•tfcr  to  ace  youi  g^and- 
Md  lUB  a  boraa.    We  will 

aoe  of  shelter  and  brings  bar 
wnilst  FiUlitch  ecboed  tba 

ner  along  to  show  Jim." 

'  to  eelKX  a  hone  aniong  the 
went  with  (hem  to  see  hia 
•rkh  the  gkdaiHnc  newa. 


ides  the  mmalttioua  emotion* 
ncontrolability  at    his  tbrixa 

finding  ^old,  Admteling  that 
}uld  be  each  man  for  hiraaeif. 
d  determinedly  set  off  on  a 

R'>sari;>.  He  had  expressly 
Lt  youth  had  slipped  away  aa 
f  was  unsettled.  As  for  Joe, 
id  the  departure  of  Dearborn 
e  guide  bad  shown  hisa  the 

I  enemie*  we  loae  the  built  of 
jice  few  whom  I  'sm  govern, 
an  hotel  tot  •ummei  nurists^ 


wkh  ^.  ilcheat  go>  t  mine  in  om  winc>oeIlar,  right  ihcfe  in  tb*  heart  trf  the  YellMr* 
stone*'* 

Leon  had  not  rm  e  away  with  tb*  Frtrxiliman,  hot  the  taaei'*  depaitnr*  «nMi 
direetly  the  cauae  of  K\'  The  Diudgr,  angered  at  being  divided  tmn  the  Carcajien, 
tta*  onl'  awaitiiig  an  uppoftunity  to  leave  the  eapiain.  A*  payment  Iff  hia  Umg 
vnremui  rated  sen  ices,  tie  took  a  horse  from  Foxfaoe  and  anna  and  e<|Bl|>ni*ni, 
passing  ilie  outpoatt  with  the  trutt.  .seeming  plea  that  he  waa  sent  on  a  spedal 
mission  by  the  leader. 

"  It's  stock  him  up  high,"  mMtered  the  outer  guard.  "The  boy  ia  qnit*  haiMtooma 
allnf  atuddeni" 

In  (act,  Leon  was  transformed,  <br,  bdngof  an  caKle  race,  the  ntore  doleful  hevra* 
In  captivity,  the  more  haughty  and  noble  he  was  untcttereri. 

Long  iKHirs  of  mcditaiian  over  the  wddetneas  bad  "  aoaked  "  knowledge  into  litai 
of  wood  and  desert  cralt  almost  unawares. 

He  rode  at  once  into  the  high  grass  and  cane  brake  in  the  wet  pits  at  the  601(0.1 
of  the  canyon,  for  it  was  so  liigh  tl'at  \vs  was  hidden  on  the  horses  back. 

He  mocked  at  ttte  night,  conndi-ni  that  he  could  ^uiue  himself  by  the  stars.  He 
ate  in  the  saddle,  and  (hough  he  did  not  riils  fast,  kept  on  ceaselessly  till  he  had  goiMi 
by  the  Medicine  Rock,  where  the  Half-breeds  were  showing  a  fire  in  their 
oeretiiaiiicfl,  piui;^  perhaps,  but  assuredly  imprudent. 

Here  iie  halted.  From  all  Dearixim  and  Joe  had  imparted  to  htm,  he  knew  that 
friunds  were  approaching  and  fiom  the  west.  But  should  he  proceed  rliithcrward  on 
the  chance  of  crossing  the  trail  of  (heir  outlyrr^,  or  climb  the  other  side  ai  the  giant 
defile  and  join  Corky  Joe,  wirh  whom  he  could  be  comparutiveiy  at  ease,  and  if 
anything  befel  KiJd  as  free  as  now  < 

His  brooding  was  almost  t/agicalij  put  an  i^nd  to  by  a  gunshoft  above  biro,  end 
whilst  he  instiucdveiy  looked  up,  h»  po<  rge  leaped  and  fell  sidewise  to  the 
ground.     In  the  flash  he  had  i-ecognised  taee  of  the  Fienchman.     Me  threw 

himself  off  the  dying  horse,  and  none  t'  xmi,  for  a  second  shot,  from  a  lar)>« 
pistol  this  (line,  carried  awry  his  hat,  anii  with  a  fragment  of  the  bullet  laid  tne 
flesh  open  on  his  cheekbone.  He  Humbled  at  the  st)cck,  and  lulkid  on  the  graaa 
brside  the  sliiliming  horse 

"  Aha ! "  cried  Paul,  who  could  be  heard  descending  in  the  brushwood,  "  so  1 
have  served  out  my  spy  this  time.  Or  tiear  captain,  he  does  so  hate  to  lose  a 
nan,  that  be  sends  after  him.     Who  1.       anyhc    -,  that  i've  peppered  ? " 

Leon  remained  prone,  but  slewed  liisi  un  rounj  ready.  As  he  lay,  the  dead  steed 
formed  a  rampan :  he  was  well  posted. 

"  He's  my  meat,"  muttered  'tie  Frenchman,  boltfing  im  by  a  bush  and  peering 
down  tbruugli  ttie  gloom. 

"Nut  precisely  I  "  intcrru^^ted  au.-<ther  voice,  on  the  same  level ;  "It  is  you,  dog, 
whoslialldiel" 

On  this  tiiieat  from  an  unexpected  qah.-<'rr,  Paul  dropped  to  the  next  ledge  and 
Jumped  behind  a  tree.  Leun  rose  sluwly  ai.<l  C7.utiou*ly,  aiid  looked  up.  By  the 
atiaiifcr's  voice  \x  liaJ-  tie  believed,  recognised  Deari>om. 

He  and  tho;  bandit  were  at  the  limita  of  a  comparartveiy  clear  space.  The  youth 
^Mole  ufi  obliquely  to  the  right  so  as  f-  left-flank  the  Frenchman.  He  aimed  his 
riAe,  and,  leaving  shelter,  cned  so  budly  tluu.  the  Englisl'mian  could  also  ktkow.  taiot 
by  his  voice  t 

"  Yon  are  all  wmng.    Mr.  Paul,  it  is  yon  who  mtist  die." 

Lottery  Paul  iocikeit  at  tiim  steadily  and  replied  : 

*'  May  be — tw  to  one  I*  odds— but  you  shall  lead  the  way  to  Ringd-om  Po»r»*.* 

But  befttre  he  had  umo  to  rhange  tht  direction  of  liis  piecj,  bearing  on  the 
Englishman,  Leon  fired,  Icnowiflig  what  kind  of  maidcrous  fellow  he  was. 


i 


W1^rl 


t'«*?." 


•  he  k.!UkI,  dawing  op  the  ntoM,  with  i  fp»«i««l  (skulJ. 
Il'idearborn  ron  up.     But  »  the  same  time  there  was  a  noise  iu  the  thicket,  and 
'  itai.  men  appear^     Noih^g  must  mom  iinpi«suve  than  tbl'^  peophn^  of  the 
^Uude  in  suoa  ohtcatky-. 
'  Drop  your  gaua  t  "■'  ihouted  one  of  thn  newcoiaefs,  aothoritatitdiy  t  "we're  «U 
"frfenla  here,  I  reckmu" 
^•eiUWUUaiBsl" 

'ft*  ttie  Cherokee  and  FiMitch,  ».-^  Ws  eight  or  ten  men  besides, 
>at'«  the  OB^aaing  of  all  this  ?  "  saiJ  Filditch,  as  there  was  a  group  formed 
eWflSl  th«  dead  robber  and  the  guide  ar.d  the  servant  of  Captain  Kidd. 
'4  ''  In  the  first  place,"  said  the  humor,  "  there's  your  son  in  that  young  roan.     It  is 
;;,i')f8cicnt  c^^rd  of  ir.troduaioE  that  bo  has  robbed  out  one  ot  (he  vermin  anyway, 
imgh  T-e  are  lucky  if  their  owif  jtnded  rattle  of  shMs  does  not  spoil  the  schctae." 
*'  M>  son  I  " 

*' Yes,  Hosa*')  brother,"  wen',  on  the  feuntw.  "We  won't  mind  you  two.  VTrO, 
Sir.  Dearbom,  out  of  the  trap  ? " 

"  Yes.  1  wan  locAwf  fat  some  of  you,  wheu  I  found  there  was  a  horseman 
heiow,  and,,  on  ti^seending,  rus  in  time  to  see  him  overturned  by  a  coupie  of  shots 
iiom  tli^t  iUffian.  But  tlJc  boy  did  not  K^uire  my  intervention.  He  avenged  him- 
self," 

"  Good  boy  1    Well,  iu>W|  &U  your  information." 

As  soon  as  the  burner  learnt  details  vt  the  arrangumem  of  the  enemy,  he  fwrnsd 
«  fresh  variation,  or  rather  supplement  to  the  plan. 

"  CkntleiBen,"   said  Bill,  thereupon,  "  jve-  there,  across   the  canyoo,   are  the 
woHiWi  end  cfiSdren.     We  vill  go  straight  lo  their  camp.    The  gcard  know  Leon 
ftnl  Mr.  lieai torn;  and,  anyhow,  Joe,  thefr  lieutenant,  will  accept  them  and  remove 
any  doubts.     They  wilt  say  they  came  bat*  from  the  captain,  who  rcquiics  e^tiy 
4p3*-e  hand,  and  decoy  theisi  into  Uw  hushes,  where  they  musk  maste'r  tftem.    The 
remairnisr  should  be  but  a  guip  and  they're  gone,  to  as." 
&}1  is  fair  in  war  as  in  iov;..    Dearborn  accepted  the  task. 
"  Can  you  spare  your  son  ?  "  asked  |im  of  jiiditch,  beside  whom  stood  Leon. 
"  It  w«uld  like  to  gi  with  bim,  Ji.n.    I  want  a  good  deal  to  sec  this  youtg  lady 
So  <ivas  svch  a.  comfort  (c  Xosa." 
'"  Co  along,  tf.w." 

Into  the  fog  dived  the  d«tachment-"DBarb©m,  Filditcb,  and  l^on ;  Cherokee  Bill  aa 
_,,,'^iOi<actor,  and  a  few  mesu. 

ttat  o:Wrs  concluded  uU  prepsratior's  for  the  desperate  fight. 
j^ut  11  wiis  not  till  half  after  tea  that  the  stu'o'oom  fog,  torn  aad  drifted  away  by 
jif]  sun  nod  one  of  those  stiong  gales  which  sweep  up  a  canyon  so  lofty  at  the  sides, 
"I'M  avtay  like  u  playhonse  gauze  i^ad  uvimaskvd  the  sunny  landscape. 
8'^ite  ciiliis  theatrical  discovery,  no  one  betrayed  himself.    Never  haU  the  desert" 
Btned  more  untioubled.    An  un^^stnrbeii  calm  soothed  the  majestic  solitude,  and 
;  mmy  men»  wrtngers  to  one  aAothe*-,  were  strainhig  to  fly  at  the  throat  with 
(iious  rage  fv;-r  g»ins  vaguely  uenned. 
At  tb'i!  momen!.,  a  red  scout  ieapid  cp  among  the  hncters'  pickets,  with  the  sign 
^jtiotdSiness  «nd  iliat  he  was  a  Blood  Indian.  » 

^«il.  iirothct  ? "  demanded  RiJige, 

he  H^iif-btteds  s)ippr.d  us  dutuig   the  fog,  and  have  joined  the  goid  robbers, 
agh  not  <n»ermlxing." 
"  They  had  stitne  smsptdon." 
"  1  hi  chiefs  (lonjscture  that  somethukg  evil  bdcre  them  tit  ttit  madinot  iwarap 

4pp.d!Mj  thuiB." 

"  Mftylw  AhriiinckftJ  is  heading  them  off  ASW.* 


t  ill  ttic  thicket,  and 
tfak  peopling  of  the 

:itati«.dy  t  "  we're  aU 


esidc*. 

was  a.  group  formed 
in  Kidd, 

tt  young  mnn.  It  is 
1  the  vermin  anyway, 
spoil  the  scbeme." 

lind  you  two.     Wrll, 

ere  was  a.  horseman 
by  a  ooapie  of  shots 
k.    He  avenged  him- 


he  enemy,  he  formed 

the  canyoa,  are  the 
he  goard  Itnow  Leon 
xpt  them  and  remove 
I,  who  rcquiics  ei'tiy 
i  nuLsieT  (tiein.    Toe 


?hom  stood  Leon. 
I  sec  this  your.g  lady 

•J  >^  t 

Leoo;  Cherokee  Bill  aa 


asd  drifted  away  by 
n  ao  lofty  at  the  Mdes, 
'  landscape. 
Nc?er  hau  the  desert" 
majestic  solitude,  and 
ly  at  the  throat  with 

^ckets,  with  the  sign 


led  the  goui  robbers, 


tb«  landtAot  swamp 


aid  venture  to 


The  scout  shoo<  bk  b«»!  »s  if  bcittl  SM  believe  ih 
sveikt  the  hallowed  grcucd. 

"  In  any  case,  we  are  reaiiy.  Return  to  your  comraden  and  begin  the  battle. 
W:  fhall  also  advance  II  wc  are  not  attacked." 

"  Giiod  I  "  and  the  ^n-ming  dem-ait  bounded  away  alopg  the  hillside. 

Very  txicn  the  scream  of  tiie  grey  eagle  :iro5e,  slirill  and  prolongol. 

firing  was  opened  miJti  that  eibsence  of  unison  betokening  that  both  sMea  were 
irregulars.  The  siji-jd  seemed  to  approach.  All  at  once  the  warwhoops  of  the 
■avaj^e  union  iesoui.ided  like  a  cannoosboi.  The  gunfire  becai&e  more  IntniM,  lutd 
painfMl  aiea  were  t<:rop(ring  c^-ers  aad  yells  of  triumph. 

Kidd  hail  indeed  found  the  Crows  in  the  dwarf  woiu,  and  fcLred  t»  cross  a, 
tnadroot  (Indian  turnip)  marsh  in  their  teeth.  He  be.^an  a  feij;ned  retieat  and 
enticea  t'.iem  into  the  muu:h  of  the  canyon  where  the  Bois-Bral^  fiell  on  them, 
ratining  down  the  slopes  aiid  almost  annihilating  them  in  the.  charge.  The  few 
survivors  were  carntl  by 'the  impetus  in  among  the  'ocksandpoolsof  thebottomtand« 
where  they  were  slaughtered  almost  to  a  man.  But  even  as  the  Cnnadi  ins  raised  » 
cry  of  victory,  liie  Piegans  and  their  allies  were  ruihing  upon  the  white  man  In 
tnuch  the  »ame  manner.  1  he  Halt-Lreeds  hastened  to  coalesce  with  (heir  eon^ 
ladernies,  and  strengthen  them  agcinst  this  onset.  I'here  was  an  obstinate  struggle, 
the  Indians  seeiiing  to  t'ltain  thr.  whole  whilst  they  encircled  th:m.  Kidd,  un  the 
OMiirarv,  endeavoured  to  retire  up  the  canyon  and  regain  tite  tableland  on  high, 
where  Joe  and  the  rearguard  were  ixisted.  It  was  a  natural  fort. 
■■j  ^ut  suddenly,  out  of  il>e  most  innocent  bushes,  but  which  had  not  been  plnMrd 
(her^  across  the  way  when  they  passed  along,  a  deadly  tire  gushed  from  rifles  fa; 
'inoie  potent  than  the  Indians. 

The  bandits  and  tlie  Manitobans  were  caught  between  'WvO  fires.  Nevtsiiseless, 
whilst  the  red  t.ien  seemed  (he  more  nunte'ous,  the  itmg  elsew'nere  allowed  a 
sanguine  man  to  believe  that  these  new  assailants  werm  so  limited  in  force  that  ttiey 
were  obliged  to  ambush  themselves. 

Kidd  Aourisiied  hia  Spanish  rapier,^ ralli'd  his  men,  and  shouted, 

"'  Over  them  1  through  ;licm  I  its  our  only  chance.  Come  on,  boys,  v°ben!  wc  liavel 
Comradcs  1 "  and  the  column  ran  into  the  hunters'  fire.  At  the  same  time,  contioon 
enough  when  an  enemy  falter,  the  Indians  whooped  di^>olically  and  charircd  the 
Half-breeds. 

Tl  ey  and  Kidd  had  iirt  only  the  flank  but  the  front  fire  to  suMain,  and  ntaitf 
•very  second  man  seemed  to  fall. 

iiowevcr,  those  who  escaped  deaChi  if  not  wounds,  srrambled  int?  the  bushes. 
They  were  ut\garrisoned,  being  merely  a  line  beyond  tfje  rMil  entrenchment,  moiU» 
and  brushwood  chevaux  dejriu. 

The  conflict  became  horrible  vhen  the  bandits  and  Half-breeds,  now  mrried  te-  ! 
gtther  with  little  order,  were  brought  up,  <tU  sta"-  ding,  against  the  barrieawies.  They 
gave  up  hope,  and  so  ifuriously  fough»  thatnono  dreamt  of  asking  quarter.  Farming 
a  rampart  of  their  own  dead,  and  of  those  of  the  redskins  who  had  rushed  on  tlie 
gune  too  rashly,  the  determine*  remnant  held  out,  dumb,  calm,  and  gkxHny,  itke 
nen    f  stoce,  certain  of  death,  but  bravely  selling  thdr  lives.  

Overcorne  with  honor  and  pity  for  such  a  sublime  resolution,  Jl.-..  RSdge  t;) 
p«xrdly  sprang  over  the  breastworkt  followed  by  Leon,  who  knew  most  " 
mtttmn,  and  shcured  in  a  <foice  ever;  tx»dy  heard  i 

•'  Quit  of  shooting  1  It's  too  aU-bre«i  mean  to  butcher  thetr"  when  they  stand  ont 
eo  well." 

On  both  sides  he  was  cbcyed ;  so  much  authority  was  in  the  voice  of  one  for  whom 
ate  reds  and  vthiies  felt  a  profound  aspect,  and  to  whom  they  knew  they  owtsd  so 
Biucb  of  euoecM,  ( 


vi^ 


i&rf  Riner  MslPSrtx-d. 


"VVkbaut  tm  yfrtufona,  tht  Yager,  stil!  a430omi»(<iMt  by  th«  gvaeroiui  Ixqrs,  ad* 
vanced  up  u>  »be  :euiUnUtiU  aear  owoglt  to  puU  twk.  At  tM «^  of  d«ad  «hb 
they  MonpeJ. 

Kidrl  was  bindii.g  np  ft  wound ;  THgard  wai  the  oittf  imbie  k»<ln'. 
"  V/iiat do  yo«  w:^iu  ?'  1^  asked,  lowtting  hU  rifle  «nd  pintoi,  both  hands  bdtg 
tba»  occupied. 

"'  We  oome  to  offti  yo«  life.  Injiut  Hke  'aiutd  'la  a  aian,  and  jwar  pit  is  Cnt 
brand." 

"  We  aaked  jo  qcamr,"  wm  the  ftroud  repi)'.    "  We  vyould  hav«  g^Tcn  none,  I 
darewf .    We  are  (K'.  '      ib  play^  sut,  and  we  mcaa  Is  die  pullin£;  digger." 
"  Ye»,  w«  ai«  '  (M  '  Ik  xCt"  chorawd  thfi  otiMrs. 

'■Now,  doo't  be  «iliy.  I  grent  ]ro>!  «re  not  used  up,  and  our  spoiling  tout  hop*s 
»!««  *  stubborn  '  ye.    But,  b>  the  3ur !  you  Yaw  mighty  little  to  go  on  with. 

Lode  a^  the  slope,  full  c!  i:<]ir)s  aa  <  jc  of  Icttef  s  i  not  tlie  kind  loud  on  a  whi.ap 
and  singing  small  when  they  have  ».  r>(Tsr»  and  8ca!per«  to  meet.  Yoa  hadbett«t 
hear  ir.y  offers,  for  I  am  '  white'  on  t^iis  thing,  and  I  am  above  the  only  man  who 
can  snatch  ye  out  of  (he  baming." 

"  I'm  tiianlcful.  old  hunter,  bat  your  words  now  are  Use  wheda  of  the  thistle-down 
S— tliey  sail  away  on  the  wind.     You  have  cut  too  deep  for  baUau.     Yon  have  allied 
y«>i.(se!f  with  those  reds  a£in'  your  coknir,  and  all  we  want  ia  icveofs  for  your 
!:iaughtefing  our  ntaten." 
"Vengeance!"  cried  his  men,  and  Kldd's. 

**  But,  to  me  straighten  out  things,"  persisted  Ridge,  "  fai  Heavoii's  name  I    I 
'tt  you  life  and  freatont  too." 

"You  may  straighten  out  our  corpses  if  yon  like.     Meanwhile,  we  sttach  M 
^'"faiib  in  your  words,  and  pLdges,  arid  good-for-nothing  advice.    Back  with  you! 
We  are  going  to  hold  our  end  (A  this  unequal  comSat  up  So  tb«  lasi." 

He  lifted  liis  fiie.irnn  so  threateuingly  that  the  others  interpreisd  the  <iCtion  aa  a 
&is;"o>i  for  resumed  hostilities.  A  rauling  discharge  ensued.  Leo'>  threw  himMlf 
ii.l'ianlica'ly  before  his  gtand-uncle,  and  rscdved  at  least  one  hulUt  which  weold  cot 
ll^icjvise  have  inisacd  him.  I'he  youth  fell,  and  the  Yager  dropped  also,  hut  this 
Mime  to  siticU  him  and  out  of  prudence.  Over  their  beads  a  double  vUcy  crosser). 
;;\Upou  this  sudden  a$reresston,  reasonHH-  ,egfard<d  as  treadhcry,  thebi.le  rcnewwJ 
|(»c'lwith  une<)uaUed  bV.icKitttirstiness  on  the  conf •■derates' part,  and  aonstant  reaolw 
If*  tiiat  of  rhe  icKS. 

Mcanwhik,  ui-iugh  tinder  fire,  Jim's  first  act  was  to  see  how  bis  nftpbew  wa> 
hart.  He  sttried  an  outcry  in  joy  amid  the  whizzing  bullets,  hortting  atrows,  mid 
^teUing  boughs  severed  by  the  niissUe? :  Lecn  wan  pale,  but  iiriswoundal.  The  bait 
hfad  flacteihed  itself  on  «he  buckle  o<  hu  belt,  dented  it,  bnt  not  penetrati»i.  The  bkiw 
\tfl«  a  twnait  one,  and  knocki<d  all  the  breath  out  of  his  body:  but  in  #  few  minutt^s 
hi^-ean^e  round,  and  was  deitgtued  to  find  that  he  had  savM  th«  cS'i  man's  lite. 

During  thiti  the  defenders  had  been  hemkncd  ia  ciooely,  fairly  pushed  e^l  of  th«ir 
Utile  fort,  »»d  Vfere  being  mowed  down.    It  was  no  fight,  bat  cainage''-«  masoa'srii 
^  wlikh  gives  a  tmroe  to  the  spot  to.  this  day. 

I    Leon  saw  that  the  French  H.i  If-breer^  «/as  UteraJly  pulled   iowu,  like  ft  btll!  oa 
Filhom  the  dogs  cluster,  by  several  of  the  Piegans  and  trappen«. 
"  Oh  I  I  tnast  sa.vc  that  brave  fallow,"  cried  he. 

Springing  like  a  panther  ii.to  the  med'ey,  he  pulled  otT  *x4nL)tM&ad  <^  tix:  «MMHi>it> 
uriits,  and  embraced  the  Manitoban  with  both  aims.  '^^"i 

"  My  priaonerl "  he  stiouted.  

*'  His  meat  I ''  added  Jim  Ridge,  who  had  closely  followttf. 
"  Back  !  "  sitlk<  F^ldi(ch,ruaninj^  iipami  repulsing  the  baffled  m«n,wb6, 1 
t'«iouk  them«ielvcs  to  other  game. 


fW' 


ivzf^fmti* 


rWfi«p7 


TW^" 


the  gt;iieroiui  bojts,  aid. 
the  it;Jt  of  dowt  ta«i 

e  i<i»<i5r. 

(RtoS,  both  baoda  bdl.; 

,»iM>  )w«ur  frtt  tsCnt 

lid  hav«  gfiven  none,  I 
e  palling  ctigger." 

iir  spoiKng  your  hopts 
hiy  little  to  gu  on  with, 
kind  loud  on  a  whoop 
meet.    Yoa  hadbett«i- 

>oi<e  the  only  man  who 

ied«  of  th6  thittle^doiira 
.i»ai«i.  Yon  h«v«  allied 
uit  ia  icvcDca  for  fottt 

.    ■  -.  ,-,...f4 

in  Heawn'a  name  1    I 

unwhiie,  we  sttaeh  no 
iricc.  Back  with  you  I 
;h<  lasi." 

rpreted  th«  JK^ioti  Ait  a 
I.  Leoi  threw  hifniclf 
butlrt  which  wootd  eoc 
r  dropped  atao.  bttt  this 
t  double  <f\)ey  ctoKtai. 
hery ,  the  bi .,)«  rcnewKd 
t,  and  aottsiaot  rssohw 

e  htnv  his  noptiew  was 
i!i,  hanliag  atrows,  m>d 
ttDwounded.  The  SsaJl 
*  penetrated.  The  hkm 
•i  but  in  a  few  iviiuutt« 
th«  d'i  man's  lite, 
airly  paahed  &\i  of  th«ir 
it  cainage^a  munacM 

i  iowu,  like  »  boi!  «a 

rei. 

d  ^sbed  off  ttie  aMftliIi>' 


i  im»,wbA,  howmt, 


«Nwm»»-  J**:**'  endlyaboM  Wm.  0«  hto  3*0  «ot,  hardly  annther  swte  Blat- 
ft  .ftftww  upright  anywhere  near  Mm.    He  shook  hi*  hcwl  doapairingly. 

"  My  poor  children,"  saki  he  in  French,  stifling  a  sob. 

"  Come  out  of  this,"  erkd  f *«»,  liffcring  to  draw  hirn  «f»J- 

"I  thank  you,  fenetoui  boy,"  was  the  atwweir  with  a  uoble  onartH^, jrrpulslng 
bim  gently,  "  and  you,  tsw,  braw^d  humct,"  he a-ibjotnc',  addressing  Ridge,  'but 
your  interference  is  u«m»».  I  am  catc^iing  the  hot  soup  deserwdly  for  basing 
linked  myself  with  a  diain-ijang.  Look  round !  <»ll  the  boys  ftom  Red  Ri*er  are 
dead,  or  gasping  their  last,  under  our  feet.  I  am  not  see'wg  to  escape  the  itSA«- 
aacre.     But,  anyhow,  here  goes  to  save  uiy  top  hairl "  ,       .     1 

And  before  anybody  could  throat  out  a  hand,  ne  drew  one  of  those  pocket  ptstola, 
loaded  to  the  muezle,  which  Irontierroen  often  carry  expressly  to  Wow  oH  the  sfcol) 
pan,  in  order  to  rend  the  scalp  to  shreds  and  remove  the  suicide  from  the  torture-i. 
He  clapped  the  muzele  to  kia  foiahead,  polled  the  trigger,  and  fcU  headlong  ia  tiie 
smoke,  ottering  one  word  t 

"Mywmntryl*'  ,,  • ,  ^ ,       • 

Bidt'e  aad  the  youth  iwwiled,  and  c»en«he  Piegans  were  wupified  into  Inaction. 

"  Good  notion,  boyt  1"  cried  Captain  Kidd  in  his  aarcasuc  »«ace,  "  I«  as  sav«  oor 
tcpknnts  sgme  fashion ! '  i      .■      j         j        »». 

HaHji-do«cn  pistol  shots  cracked,  and  as  many  of  the  bandits  dropped  w  the 
etith.  But  whss  was  tl»e  amaiemcnt,  though  only  temporary,  of  the  savagiej,,  ou 
itwbitw'  tofwarO,  so  find  that  the  supposed  suicides  had  cjiwicd away  in  the  ^mfikel 

With  .iiarvrikMiti  presence  oi  mind,  Kidd,  under  pretence  of  jmifidng  tl«  Half, 
breed's  hercAsm,  had'  turned  t^  aa  into  a  "dodge."  They  beard  the  Saughintr. 
taunting  whoop  of  his  little  band  of  survivot*  as  they  raced  down  the  s!(q>e  and 
glided  among  the  bouldtfs.  ....  j  •.    u 

Some  of  the  reds  took  op  the  chase,  and  others  retnatned,  hewing  and  hacWng 
the  corpses  with  spite  and  pitiless  maligT»Hy.  .t.  *.    , . 

Ridge  collected  a  few  of  his  immediate  followers  and  hastened  after  me  fugitive 
gold-robbcr.  The  whole  of  the  bottom  land  rang  with  the  yells  of  the  pursueta,  t>  e 
red  men  delighting  in  the  rose  of  Kidd,  whon.  now  they  believwl  a  loem«n  woitay 
e(  tbeix  fiendish  irif.^ -dty  at  the  tuitute-stake. 


CHAFTJKR  %X%L 

TESS    WOMSIl'S     OAMV. 

Fitttrca  and  Ms  son,  with  theother  wbitM,  crossed  the  forge  and  ptfoceeded  tow«s!s 
thi-  bandits'  camp,  where  some  smoks  was  ascending  in  a  mass. 

Men  or,  t^ic  frontier  are  tept  In  so  naarly  the  same  condition  by  Ifw  simtU»>de  (C 
thr'r  habits,  food,  exercises,  occupaticns,  that  when  a  race  for  tiie  enstwB,  fJM 
faettiw,  with  a  reasonable  ttart  beyond  gunshot,  is  rarely  overtaken.  In  this  cuti, 
KWrf  and  his  «i.<?ht  or  ten  coropatiions  rather  gained  than  tost  by  rtw  pursuers  being 
fom,.  for  pru.iteuce  sake,  tv^  w  t«*h  on  strrsghf,  >;it  to  circle  each  m,^s  stone  and 
lu  eatusnp- where  the  rae«iV  might  have  haltca  to  fite.  ,,     ^    ^  .,  ^     ,.  a 

'    the  end  of  the  ca  yoi!  Kldd's  party  wets  not  «>ly  wel!  ahead,  bat  atagr  bad 


ii6 


The  Eed  Jlhm  ffalf-Bf^^d. 


^ve.i  tialtL-d  more  than  onoe  to  breatfie  ftvAf.    Two  bad  fallea  tod  been  aecjred,  (or 
the  Indians  had  set  ap  a  yell  of  delight.  ' 

"  Cheer  up  I "  cried  the  captaiQj  "  we  are  oat  of  the  ralley,  and  the  ^tAAta  tract  is 
only  jusi  beyond.  The  thug  is  &«d  (or  our  satislaction  after  all  if  we  only  press 
on  pretty  Miff." 

Btu  the  words  were  hardly  ont  of  his  pah  lips  snd  begivaingr  u,  .  spirit  his  band 
»s  they  emerged  frcm  the  jaws  of  the  long  trough  before  cheers  arose  behind  them. 
From  the  high  points  Ridge  and  a  few  Pieganii  saw  a  numerous  corps  of  cavadry 
sweep  round  from  the  sc;ith-c3st.  clear  the  spurs  i^  the  east  bluff,  »nd  gallop  through 
the  modroot  swamp  to  intercept  the  flying  men. 

Nevertheless,  good  caraliers  as  were  these  Mexicans  of  Peralta,  the  treachero'is 
mnrass  soon  hampered  and  teriifled  the  horses,  azsd  the  troop  was  thrown  into 
iUsarray. 

This  sight  warmed  the  froaen  heart  of  Kidd  onoe  more, 

'They  are  only  'greasers,'"  cried  he,  srornfully.  •' kxii,  after  all,  better  to 
peii&h  tiaving  our  revenge  on  them  than  waiting  for  those  murderous  savages  to 
come  up,  Wtio'll  coir.e  on  with  me.  Wan't  the  (ear  of  heliirh  torture  make  any 
bacliward  spirit  brave ?  lor  the  golden  land,  right  through  the  yallerfaoesl  Hurrah, 
boys  1  *• 

Whilst  hesitating,  two  boilers  of  several  J:ots  whistled  into  the  bodies  of  a  pair 
of  his  companions.  'Itie  pursuers  had  arrived  within  i«nge.  At  (bis,  more  potent 
than  the  harangue,  the  gold.grabbers  nm  at  the  hee^i  of  their  leader,  straight  along 
(he  firm  groutsd  forming  a  natural  bri'tge  in  the  1/Og,  firing  at  tb*  flountiering 
horsemen  and  ytlling  to  increase  the  alarm  oT  the  steeds. 

Five  tan  the  gauntlet  suci-es<>f ully,  though  each  was  wcisitded  by  the  Mezicanc* 
cutlasses,  so  close  were  the  rncnuntcrs.  But  Kidd  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed  lire, 
ilc  turned,  his  bosom  swelling  with  exultation.  All  the.  foes  were  on  the  other  side 
of  l.ina.  The  YdK  wstoiic  Ri  gion  was  at  his  Too:  Surely  in  bia  bounding  heait 
he  had  not  a  doubt  that  he  was  de^'ined  to  conceal  himself  an»  ng  itie  wonders, 
in  some  enchanted  cave,  in  son-e  petrified  fi.rea*,  in  some  hollow  under  a  waterfall, 
and  baffle  the  Yager  of  the  Yellowstone  iiimseJf. 

Ii>decd,  the  trampling  horses  cut'^p  the  quaking  morass ;  black  water  and 
yellow  slime  002ed  u^  and  covered  the  gr.iss.  Where  the  bandits  had  leaped  along, 
the^ad  rose,  or  the  calamus-root  «as  sinking  as  if  pulled  down  by  the  hands  of 
elves.  The  subtle  obstacle  was  mysterious.  All  the  Indians  pauseid  on  '.he  solid 
ground,  wiiilst  Ridge  ;,nd  the  trappers  alone  were  cool  enough  to  t^ssist  the  Metdcana 
to  where  th*;)  strxxi. 

To  i.dd  to  the  horror,  b  dies  of  the  Crows  slain  in  the  previous  battle,  till  now  sub- 
mert^ed  in  the  pitchy,  sulphurous  fen,  stowiy  bubbled  up,  so  besmeared  as  hut 
dimly  to  suggest  the  shapes  of  men. 

Kid.i  and  his  companions,  among  whom  was  Margotter,  the  only  Half-breed,  bad 
impudently  stopped,  the  swamp  between.  T.hey  were  tiie  more  plainly  discern&lr, 
as  at  their  back  the  steam  from  a  water  vokano  formed  a  white  veil. 

Suddenly  the  wind  died  away.  1  here  was  audible  a  mourntui,  tremendous  sound 
in  the  hauntitd  realm,  like  a  giant's  breathing ;  it  was  the  pumping  undeiground  of 
the  indescribable  loiees  to  extraa  and  drive  to  the  surface  tons  upon  tonsd  w.-iter  for 
the  colossal  hot  water  fountains,  whose  heat  and  moisture  finnpered  the  a(mo«phcfe 
even  here. 

Kidd  made  a  contemptuous  gesture,  turned,  ind  leisurely  led  the  way  over  th« 
(tw  snpie  yards  between  the  swa'.np's  edfc  and  the  lovely  outskirts  «rf  an  ever.vtsrnal 
wood.  Already  thty  caught  glimpses  ot  stanieii  nui  umerriiicd  wild  ajsirnals  under 
beautiful  boughs,  fruit«lada«,  staring  incredulously  at  the  blood.stained^  stB<fk«s- 
b!jic''cncd  »tta»»-":r_. 


i  aad  been  secired,  for 

int*  the  gfoldea  tract  is 
r  All  if  we  only  press 

g  u/  spirit  l»i8  band 
crs  arose  behind  them. 
rouu  corps  of  catalrjr 
iff,  »nd  gallop  through 

eraltii,  the  treachercjs 
;oop  was  thrown  inio 


d,  after  all,  better  to 

murdeious  savages  to 

)irh  torture  malK  anf 

eyatlerfaoesl   Hurrah^ 

othe  bcdiesof  a  pair 
At  ibis,  more  potent 
r  learter.  straight  alxng 
ingat  t&»-floun^eting 

Bded  by  the  Mexican*' 
to  bear  a  charmed  ii>>. 
.  were  on  the  other  side 
in  hia  bounding  heait 
!lf  ani'  ng  the  wonders, 
>llow  under  a  waterfall, 

rass ;  black  water  and 
ndits  had  leaped  along, 
i  down  by  the  hands  of 
a$  pauiied  on  'he  solid 
I  to  assist  the  Mezicana 

ious  battle,  till  now  8ub«. , 
BO  beatneared  as  but 

K  ooly  Half-breed,  had 
lore  plainly  discerniblt, 
lite  veil. 

rntui,  tremendous  sound 
imping  underground  of 
IS  upon  t«M»«  oJ  water  (or 
mpcred  the  aimosphcte 

led  the  way  orer  the 
sUircs  d  a«  ei^er .vernal 
ied  wild  auiinals  under 

'blM<l>stau««dj,  siBAka* 


All  at  once  they  feU  so  «xchuv«  die  in  temperature.  They  began  stnaming  urith 
ptrspirfltian.and  thtir  woucds  rcrfjpened  and  bled  ^obixly.  At  each  sup  a  houoKf 
soun'l  arose.  Tnen  one  foot,  heavier  than  a^othir,  sarii  as  in  a  erust  of  snow  in  » 
calcaicuus  soil.  It  was  nu  sooner  drawn  forth  lUm  the  oiber  was  worse  cn-.bo^g 
anil  those  who  canieio  their  comiade's  help  began  to  be  mi:cd.  Ki  !d  stopped,' 
looked  round  to  order  a  change  of  route,  when  a  scream  of  terror  burst  from  hi|  a*] 
every  lip,  (ri§htenirig  the  animals  into  ftl^jht  hnd  curdi'njr  tlie  blood  of  the  observtrs 
at  tlie  canyon's  mouth.  MargoUct,  both  feet  entangled,  had  broken  bodily  iiircagh 
the  unsafe  sulfate,  and  wlieie  be  had  been  sucked  down  a  flaming  dust  bad  bma 
belched  up,  ciactly  as  when  demons  vanish  down  a  trap  on  the  stage. 

With  one  aicotd,  like  men  do  inst'octively  'jpira  thin  ice,  the  wtrtches  n^r-rr 
theroselves  flat  on  the  grojod.  With  the  same  impulse — an  ui>acc,ouncablc  one, 
stronger  tlian  mere Iniirest  in  their  disappeared  comrade— ail  heads  were  turned  to 
tiii  gap  where  he  hal  found  a  gateway  l»  death.  Blinded  at  first,  their  piston , 
became  accustomed  to  the  radiance  that  emanated  from  wiihin.  It  seemed  to  them 
that  they  peered  Into  a  chasm  where  a  lal  oi  pure  glowing  fire  slowly  moved  in 
ullen  upheaval.  Meanwhile,  the  heat  increased.  They  were  like  men  who  had 
crept  into  a  limekiln  for  warmth,  and  by  mischance  were  stupefied  by  the  fumes  and 
Wtte  being  roasted.  They  rolled  aw^y  hither  and  thither,  only  t' .inking  to  avoid 
contact,  for  the  weight  of  two  bodies  concentrated  on  one  space  might  cause  tlte 
repetition  of  Maigoitet's  (ate.  Ttieir  hair  and  beards  wnre  singed,  their  wounds 
were  dried  up  now  and  cauterised.  Tfiey  shtii  ked  for  help  and  mcicy  and  that  they 
wculd  surrender.  Then  u'len^urable  anguis'a  made  them  swoon.  And  helplessly 
Ibey  w«e  dragged  thence  by  the  lasst^s  of  the  Mexicans,  who  ventured  two  the 
swamp  to  execute  their  deliverance  this  way. 

"One  of  the  wondrs  of  the  Velk>wstone,  gentlemen,"  caid  Jim  Ridga.  "I 
never  try  to  enter  the  Paik  that  road.'* 

"A  manifestation  ol  ihe  Spirit  of  Fire  "  said  Bed  Knife.    "  Whert  the  spirits  «►» 
-  oar  fathers  rove  in  enjnyraeni  no  such  evil  thingt  could  be  albwed  to  ente»." 

All  was  endeil  here.  Leaving  the  misetable  bandits  to  be  brought  on  at  Hm>^ 
the  chiefs  retraced  thei.-  steps  to  ascertain  before  nightfall  how  the  deuchmcat  »«>< 
to  at  ack  or  outwit  the  reserve  of  gold  grabbers  had  executed  their  task.  The 
column  of  smoke  thence  arising  must  have  a  meanmg. 

The  women's  camp  was  in  a  flutter.  Nat  only  had  all  r-m  white  jei*  '4..  «a<*e 
from  the  firearms  on  the  opposite  slope,  amid  patches  of  f  brown,  and  grty,  bat 
Joe  had,  in  passing  among  the  <»ptive8,  acquainted  Ml.  Maclaa  with  the  news 
that  the  final  inoroeiit  had  come.  Now  or  never  the  joined  ftHces  ol  mongtels  and 
nifHans  vrert  to  Ije  cruslied  on  the  sill  of  the  Yellowstone  Region. 

Suddenly  Miss  Maclan  beckoned  several  of  the  more  enetgttic  women  to  her  ride. 
Ferreting  ;n  one  of  the  wagons,  «he  had  discovered  packages  of  weapoaf  i  Hjcre 
were  cutlasses  enough  to  arm  all  of  them. 

But  hardly  had  she  ranged  the  Amaions  in  defence  before  the  war-whoop  of  the 
Cbrtokee  split  all  eats  as  he  and  his  band  clambered  nyon  the  plateau.  U  needed 
BO  more  to  stan  the  ruflians  into  a  toot,  and  those  deliveiers  not  gone  in  hot  pursuit 
were,  being  thanked  by  the  tearful  womfa. 

In  three  days  the  victors  had  re;  osed  &om  ths  strife,  and  the  red  niMj  feasted.  In 
that  period;  too,  die  strange  fores  from  the  north  arrived,  being  a  band  of 
Mormon  "  destroying  angcla,"  or  pdice,  in  search  of  the  flayer  of  Giiieon  Kidd. 
Their  captain  was  &&ltti  to  the  tribuna?  formed  te  try  Kidd  and  Sttselder,  Jim  s 
prisojier,  sole  survivora  of  the  gold-grabbers' corps.. 

Both  der.icd  the  charge  that  they  wtfr  aiUrs.  iotgers,  hoias-tt  eves,  vowora  of 
whisky  to  the  Indians,  and  that  ihey  detained  the  women,  except  to  preserve  them 
&om  the  savages.  But  at  the  appeaia«oe  of  the  Caicajien  in  the  witncss-stanil 
Kidd  trembled  and  tamed  p«Ie,  muttering,  "  I  am  a  lost  man  I " 


UB 


The  Red  Rwgr  ffaljCWetdt 


"firarf,  the  detective,'' BBUtteied  Dave  SieeWer,  only  kss  disconcert. 

"  JoM  so ;  John  E.  Siarr,  Chief  o(  the  U.S.  Detective  Police  of  Louisiana,**  said 
the  ex-Carcajieu,  forcibly.  "I  have  been  hanging  clrne  on  yoD  a  long  while, 
marking  down  everything  yott  seid  and  did.  If  yoti  wiil  allow  me,  Judge,  I'll  valet 
for  these  roguts." 

Without  giving  time  for  anybody's  opfwitson,  he  sprang  upon  the  two  ^upefied 
prisoneis,  tore  off  the  falie  hair  that  mufRed  their  features,  and  rubbed  their  faces 
with  his  handkerchief,  dipped  in  some  anti-grease  Hqaid.  The  "  cleaning-up  procc-ss," 
as  a  miner  wouU  say,  resulted  in  a  transformation  even  inoK  remarkable  Uian  tnat 
of  the  Government  official  from  the  bandit's  lieutenant. 

The  judges  immediately  pronounced  the  pair  worthy  of  death !  only  they  decreed 
that  Kidd,  or  Hank  Brown,  or  Mathiaa  Corvino,  should  be  the  Indians'  prize  kv 
torture,  and  Steelder,  or  Don  Miguel  Tadeo,  .simply  hanged.  At  this,  whilst  Dun 
Miguel  sffiikd  feebly,  the  rage  of  his  acciimpUoe  burst  forth  t 

"  Give  me  over  to  those  ted  fiends  I  "  he  roared.  **  You  mast  think  me  the  bigger 
villain,  an'"  i  am  not.  I'll  leave  it  to  Bill  WiUiaras  here.  Is  any  man  so  b.-ise  as. 
he  who  tracked  a  harmless  old  man  up  in  the  Lonely  Passes,  and  assassinated  him, 
tun  for  any  grudge,  but  to  possess  the  secret  lure  by  wliich  beavers  are  decoyed  into 
traps.  Yes,  gentlemen,  Don  Miguel  Tadeo,  over  thiity  years  ago,  was  plain 
'Spanleh  Mike,'  the  hangei-«n  ct  the  Kansas  trading  forts.  It  was  he  who  stole, 
uprm  did  Bill  Williams  and  murdered  him.  Look  in  the  deerskin  shiit  he  weais, 
asid  in  the  crescent-'pfeoe  at  the  -trmpit,  which  is  double,  you  will  find  the  very 
recipe  for  mixing  the  beaver  medicine,  taken  from  the  old  trapper's  wana  bady. 
Now,  am  I  to  be  torn  to  pieces  for  nn  Injin  holiday,  and  this  cow»id!y  stayer  to  be 
let  off  t/ith  a  clean,  easy,  smoothly-greased  rope  ?    Come,  Judge  Lynch,  fair  play  I " 

All  eyes  turned  towards  Bill  Williams,  whose  features  were  strongly  convulsed. 
By  tliat  moment  of  inattention  the  wretched  Don  Miguel  endeavoured  lo  profit.  He 
burst  away  from  the  guards,  and  bounded  thence  in  the  only  direction  open.  Alas, 
k  led  to  the  brink  of  the  abyss,  for  the  tribunal  was  held  at  the  Medicine  Rock. 

With  a  savage  yell,  the  trapper's  son  leap^  after  hirp.  The  Califomian  halted 
on  the  gidily  verge.  During  tnat  wavering  the  avenger  reached  him,  stabbe«!  him, 
semoved  his  scalp,  lashed  him  in  the  face  with  it,  so  that  the  blood  blinded  him, 
saoA,  at  the  dagger  point,  goaded  him  on,  on  1 

"  Wahout  pity  far  that  old  man,  expect  noiw  now  1 "  hissed  tb*  t^ief.  **  Over  I  and 
be  the  sandworm's  pickings ! " 

The  unfortunate  man  walked  Into  the  air,  and  fell  with  a  {volonged  scream. 

Bi!t  tmt  down  on  a  projecting  crag,  mufHed  his  face  in  his  blanket,  and  seemed  to 
i!ob  convulsively.  The  white  men  regarded  the  mute  figure  with  awe  and  surprise. 
Takitig  advantage  of  this  emotion,  a  dozen  Blackfeet  rushed  upon  Corvino  at  a 
j^gn  from  Reii  Knife,  and  overpowering  him,  despite  a,  fiense  resistance,  bore  hita 
away  to  an  unspeakable  fate. 

EPILOGUE. — Sir  Ranald  and  Ulla  Maclan  rstumed  «>  the  old  country  to  wed. 
But  the  memory  of  their  American  adventures  does  not  fade,  and  cannot  perish  | 
and  the  parting  words  of  the  old  hunter  haunt  them . 

"  The  men  with  the  felling  axes  and  W  raibond  spike* drivers  are  tracking  me  up, 
but  1  have  not  tunied  cold  round  the  heaa  yet.  I'll  name  a  big,  bold  ramintain  pesU: 
after  you.  sir,  and  a  pure  and  pretty  lake  afteit  you,  lady,  and  send  you  the  news- 
paper with  particulars.     I've  nicked  my  rifle  to  that  effinx." 

Leon,  o!  l«wis,  and  his  sister  aoa>mpanied  their  father  anii  Don  Gi^pnio  to  Ae 
laitet's  farms  in  Lower  Calitianiia,  and  dwelt  happily  there. 

THS  MID. 


ice  of  Louisiana,"  said 
m  joo  a.  \onfg  while, 
i*r  me,  Jadge,  I'll  valet 

ipon  the  two  stupefied 
,  and  rubbed  tlieir  faofs 
"  cleaningr-up  process," 
e  remarkabte  tlian  tnat 

rath  J  only  tbejr  decreed 

;  the  Indians'  prize  (or 

At  this,  whilst  iXm 

ast  think  me  the  bigger 
s  any  man  so  base  s» 
and  assassinated  him. 
t&vtta  are  decnycd  into 
years  ago,  was    plain 

It  was  he  who  stole, 
erskin  Shirt  he  weais, 
you  will  find  the  very 

trapper's  wann  bady. 
»  cow»id!y  slayer  to  be 
idge  Lynch,  fair  play  ! " 
ere  strongly  convaised, 
^VDured  to  profit.  He 
directiur,  open.  AlaSt 
le  Medicine  Rock, 
"he  Califcnian  halted 
iicd  him,  stabbed  him, 
the  blood  blinds  him, 

iih«dtief.  "Overland 

rolonged  scream, 
blanket,  and  seemed  to 
with  awe  and  surprise, 
hed  upon  Corvino  at  a 
»  resistance,  bote  taim 


he  old  country  to  wed. 
e,  and  cannot  perish} 

«r8  are  tracking  me  up, 
lig,  bold  mmintain  peak 
id  send  you  the  news- 
id  D(m  Grqpviotoae 


4l      3S^      £S  t 

PtauM  follows  every  nedeet  to  life,  wid  in  neglect  of  cle»u- 
ttneag  is  cumes  qavckl?  »,nd  forcibly.  Contempt  for  the  owner  of 
A  dirty  liotwc,  a  grc-sy  kitohfen,  or  a  filthy  cookiag'  tteasil  is  >» 
contempt  unrelieved  by  pity  and  unexcused  W  partiulity.  luiieed, 
there  is  uo  excuse  for  sucn  things  when  eveiy  Qroo«t  rjUa  gAPOUO 
for  eoouring  and  cleaning,  at  JOo.  par  e»k«,  _ 

-  THE  CELEBRATED 


mioi 


PDM. 


ABE  PEEFEBBiEB  BY  LEADIHO  ABTIStS. 

Thn  «emaa» now  made  l<y  fis.  ^uaated  masloal  oa&Uo  are  ao  exH^nj 

Oki  teat  wtddi  merit  rootdiw.  BOBMtSM  Jt  0O«,  as  HMRttsecar^ 
Skmott  tt^dmrn  ftl«^«rtu>  am  aeimowiMlied  fso  bs  makMs  ol«»u£Hdj 
5i^^lB»Srdfcrtuwl»«ai  many  ManSS&arew  urga  the  Vm  ln*^e  oL  ._- 
*^rwaMa«»^r  «w^te  «M«y as  an lnda«m«t t© pvrcliMe. It vm 
4^^^  toMi^  tSTta  a*K^.  qnaav  and  itttee  are  too  iBMiMwaiiy 
jilliMdtowpeetWwonewtHwuttlieotter.  „_^^  ,_  «-fc.«,>.  .«,f»« 
^aw?fiSi>oa*littobeltt«gedMtoHaqealIw«f «» ?«??•**  *'*^l"^^ 

S«6^^yttnSat  wta  be  i™ier*B<«r\t  toj^  ^'"'^'"^.fflSf.SSSSS 
tafiw  vSinA  denee.  tbat  cooianAm  the  perler.;  VUMi,  and  It  is  ttla  oaabina; 
g^^|S«glTCa^«ToKKBJK>'tta  mmt^ii  pss!tlonwit&iJ»  trade  ami 
tbe  pntiito. 

m«hwt  Aw»da  at  tlwOentoiinlal  fbElUVUisa,  1896 1  t^Wf^^A 
Award  at  Moalb?eal,  ISBl  aad  1882. 

SOHMEB  &;  CO'»  Maau^usttucers, 


lamc^ 


prodnoes  not  only  a  saviag  ol 
ftine  and  labor  to  tbe  intelU^ent 
laimfii««a,  wtto  wuboat  it  trtea 
to  make  elbov<]^«er  and  8<»p 
do  wbat  tbey  aeldcmi  aoOffintf 
I  ysM&.  It  iaa  relief  to  tbspow^ 
of  the  nuoter  ot  the  b(«w,  and 
ttw  oommsm  er  the  hoase- 
mother.  She  fe^  imveSt  to 
be  iiennaany  rwponMMe  for 
tfce  oondlUon  ei  aw  Unen.  whlria  conee  a»  tarn  toe 
weeisir  waah  ilNaBeUing:  and  «n«y,  or,  fit  wbite,  la  eeten 
•a  by  a  coit«m4ovlng  speolee  of  iBoUie  Into  JtariM  tw_iwi«n- 
f  iBjt  aorta,  belo««d  of  tto  taaj.  abhorred  bytt»e  wrtfty. 
I>eMlin8,  tm&  aoaindJaff  ^the direotimis.  whl<Sh aeootJi- 
•pMiy  «K!h  paokage,  eoftens  bard  water,  extracts  greaiM^ 
bleaeu  >9  "white  goods"  wttnont  daniag:^  to  the  finest  ft*n«5,  and  oieancw  ?alat 
to  petieotioa.  In  the  dexiade  tbat  baa  e.apkied  stace  the  inorotittotion  of  It  WM 
AmericaB  klteh«ia,  the  titmrad  has  steadily  end  ra{ddly  inoreaaed,  untH,  to^im 
»,soe.ooo  paiSBaea  were  reanired  to  eoppiy  ae  msiwt ;  the  ^mauu  m  ino.  i»m 
mm  MtxmTrm  awMS  at  trt«h4eDta«  iS&ea  to  elo«a«it  and  uMannoantabJa, 

M^f^^^SSI^olSby  JAMES  PYLE,  New  York. 


LOr^LL   LIBRARY  .aDTEBTISER. 


CANDY 


CANDY 


Bend  91.SS,  fs.BB, 
i8.S&,  or  tn.oo  <ur  a 
mnpie  ietalt  box,  by 
Oxpr«M.  prepaid,  of 
a»«  Baat  UANUIES 
inAmsrica.  Stnaiy 
pare,  ftfld  put  np  tn ' 
eleeant  boscs.  Bult- 
ablf  for  p regents. 
Belera  to  all  Cblcago. 
Try  it.    AddreM, 

C.  P.  6UNTUER, 
SISSttttSt, 


STOMACH  BITTERS 

UkB  FOB  3S  TKAB8  BKBN 

Adtytmi  by  fhyticians  and  lavalld* 

Al  jL  auM£OT  FOR 

WZrtr  »nd  A«bs.  Mal«»l», 
NenraUrla.  Khennntttin, 
Uenernl  Debliity, 

Alul  etktr  KIHDHED  DI8EA8£8, 

ht  CONVIHMHD  BY 

SHonsANDS  or  tem'/jmohiam  i» 

OUB  P088F.43ION. 
Aakuaur  ilnigglitfW't.tuKi  taktmm^  but 

tfosncmR's  stjmach  BrrriM. 


!XrE,--g5 


SM  fiSAEACHl! 


BY  USING  THE  GENUINE 

Dr.  C.  McLane's 

LIYER  PILLS 

PRICE,  25  CEirrs. 

FOa   SALE    Br  ALL  DRUmiSTi. 

Bide  wrepiiw  from  «  b(»c  ol  tiie 
gtnntae  Db.  C.  iaoLj>.;*E«  Can- 
BRinto  LtTKB  Waa,  vntu  year 
address,  plainly  written,  and  we 
wUl  BCEd  yon,  by  return  mail,  a 
jnagnifloent  pa(sli:ae<>  of  Cbromatto 
uid  0I&.  e'^pttloCarda.HBBHi 

FLEMtNG   BROS. 

Pll  T8BURCH,  HA. 


'Jackson  Gofset  Weist,' 

THE! 

m  GREAT  REFORM  GARMEBT 

OF  THXi  AOE, 

Ai  Sbapely  ai  a  'Sef alar  Conet. 

r5  >f  ^f>:ir//  garment  it  stands  pbe-bminent. 


TIM  raj;>ld  iBereaae  in  saloa  i«  a  son  gnaraatee  to  each  lady  01  V»  merits. 
After  a  week's  trial,  II  not  satisfactory,  the  money  wHl  x  refuuded.  Ask  yonr 
ineroliaata  for  tljcra  or  wmd  tUe.lAOKSON  CoBfflw  Co.,  Jackson,  Mlob.,  ll.JB  for 
teaiple  and  Prtce-LUt.  Made  la  Sateen,  Saeala,  Hanael.  Mid  Oanae-Bottoii 
or  SteeJ  Jji'ont.    Canwr«»«\<iMia«ted. 

Hundredn  of  ladles  Uave  written  i  "  Am  more  thaii  pteaatd,  wm  waar  ao 
eaier."  Merohauta  aay:  ••  Ttw  Ja<3aoa  Comet  Watot  galea  exceed  any  otfeor 
corset  to  Btook."  Try  them.  Oar  Baker  WaUt  for  CUlMren.  oar  Mlasei'  Oo»» 
Mt,  onr  Snmmer  GtesuHt  Xadlea' 0(»Mt,  beat  tits  world. 

•faeks^n  Corset  Co.,  laekson,  Midi. 


set. 

m-EMifumr. 

eacU  MAjoim  merltt. 
X  re*au<Jed.  Aik  your 
ackson,  Mlot.,  H  »  tor 
Ml,  wa*  Qma»-B,xMaa. 

m  pleasta.  win  wear  ao 
»alef!  exceed  anj  otbor 
Idren.  Otur  MlMes'  Co*" 

m,  Midi. 


I 


.^^ 


p^^1 


llitj 


TJkO  (.rotttmer^t  of  wanr  ttionsundis  of 
V  SMM  of  tbow  oiirotuu  wi>iil(  iKtMM  an<7 
'  RtMMmintr  aiiinenb.  (hyjuiuu-  u>  f»iniiju.'x 
as  ttw  InvalliJs'  HotisJ  anil  HurgleaJ  In 

VuH  erp-.rieiice  ta  nl«>iy  ivbvtins-  an  ! 
tborouybly  ttattUiK  r-mwllf  ''f>r  tU«j 
cwm  m  wnrtirm'a  jpefiliHr  maji't'-^. 

mr- IPlci't^^  Jravoi-ite  fr    -s-Ftp. 

Man  ta  the  oiitfrrnwtii,  orrtwilt.  ol  tliia 

mreat  and  vuluabla   oxperlcnci'.    Thou- 

tuutoof  twUmo^lai^  rooeivoU  from  pa- 

tienta  an:\   from  phya'cians  who  Juivo 

totted  If.  in  the  moru  airgrnvKt*^  arid 

tibaOxxato  cors  which  bud  I <a tiled  tbeir 

tkiii,  prove  !t  to  Jw  th«  most  v/onderfut 

raoMdy  evf<r  .i^viwrl  for  tut  rolJef  Rnrl 

CTW  of  iuffisrtrsff  woMea,    li  ta  not  ro~ 

fMxaUMndod  fMi  n  "uur»«il."  but,  an  s. 

\Baat    pnrfoct    BpeetSu    f       vcftaiva 

ptMidlar  aUm<nt.<(.  » 

JUi«»   ^worfoJ,   lavigoratlnar 

todfte  it  intMtrtt  strength  to  tho  whole 

■stem,  «nd  to  the  uteruD,  or  woml?  and 

I  fii!>p««j*i((r',-s.  In  rartloHiar.   l?or  over- 

rarked,  "  >?orn-out,"  "  Tiiii-<lowa,"  do- 

tf-.^Hsra,  mil      ^nt,    Ireaimak- 

wMijast*,  ''uii'.i'-sr'rl  "'  bouwj- 

kveom,  nunianfir  mothaf«,  ti  >t|  feoMo 

t  WOlhein  srenortUljr,  l>r.  Plero.^'fl  IPnyorlto 

"~n«j,-.  i     •ttnisUiogTO'itcjRt       thir  Viooii, 

■  lualk'd  08  an  ui       brfnsf  (jor- 

^iUU  j>,titoratlvo  *  -nil--         pn;iiu>U:>>. 

^tion  ni:d  aeslmH  x-J,  oun  « 

lauaea,  weakuMw  o;  .,,    .,,  indlgt*- 

ton,  bioaOiMr  and  >  ions  <  if  nits. 

iHginfirvino, '  Piiv.  iik>  I»rc«crTpt;  n" 
is  U!.  •  mall  !'  and  ia  tu  valuable  in  Bil&y- 

lag  rf-nd  etJbduitjtr  nervnue  cxclBnbUHy, 
tJ"!rlt«WUty,i'XhiUir.i  ion.  orngtrntin"  hyu- 
{«rift,8pasuiN  an-.'  ^j-.      r--        cv- 

,,./,,„,„■  ,,.vi  .  ,.,  tho 

■I  ■•  'and 


fll^'Ull 
rtnn,  Wr^'," 

{  vonditlon. 

1    I   Itf.    ■■    II    MI.IJJJ 

;         :\  

i.i>  uwi      <vlth  mp^HBHPi     .ft  t 
I  I'tiroMi     I. 

t.ikcn   1r.   four  "   >      .    '.  •   i 

ind  siii'ill  !(ixu!  (!i  )    .  i 

rixrtratl\«  illU'V^  mlfc  '  ivw 
cuvog  Iilvrr,  KldiM-y  rw  >4adi 
r-aa.  Thfir  combiutui  u^  wj  t, 
I'Km    i    ia)istP,     UHl   *fc<4Uii!^i   «T.ti« 

"«  women 

-1.    nutfralBlr* 
Vfistn.  fii 
<T  i  \  oia 
<  r  fir.rn  n(rn)! 

lircft.    .,    )u  '         I 

t-aey-fit'liir  '  '"i 
doctor,  «!( pMjii 
fi>r  wMch   he 
poti'  us,  assuci 
«  Skii,  Ja  reulJty, 
toiiMj  fi'iiuiixl  liy  Bu 

ouffcrinff,  f  -Miuiaip 
M"ge  biUs  M-f    mwTi'. 
ttenft  fete  t"  > 
by  n-a*)!*  I  ' 

»I.  1  00i15<'i 

'  I  m''>t'' 

lin\i 

l.yd 
1 1111'- 

>jnly  mod" 

fist.-,,  a»d. 
k'<iia  tbe  I 
jr(vi}a8libfa< 
w'!l  lie  r«i! 
!  ^(tlrt  Jirlni' 
fKlthfti).' 
SI  ftr»" 


